Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God. -- Heb 11.1,2 CEV

A distraught woman named Emerita cried out to the people passing by, "Help me! Help me!"

Then I went over to speak with the woman. "Emerita, how can I help you?" I asked.

She cried out again. "Help me! Help me!"

Again I asked, "How can I help you?"

Her response was, "Help me to help you."

I pondered it for a moment. I told her, "Let me think about this, and I will get back to you." I admit I was frustrated. How could I help this person help me? I continued to think upon the woman's plea.

Preparing a worship service a few days later, I felt led to the story of the Magi. Coming to visit the Christ Child with gifts became the topic for our worship. After sharing my message with the nursing home residents, I added a thought. I told them we all have gifts to offer our Lord.

I asked, "How many of you feel that you've reached the end of the line and have nothing to offer? How many feel without purpose and value? How many are just waiting here to die?"

The response was immediate and almost overwhelming. People raised their hands, nodded their heads, and spoke. "Yes! Yes!" they said.

At that moment I became aware of what Emerita was asking for. She wanted something that would give meaning and purpose in the latter days of her life.

I said to the residents, "Let's change that. You do have something of value to give to others. I challenge you to commit yourselves to meet with me every Thursday morning. We will begin to pray together for others and ourselves."

A New Ministry is Born

The following Thursday morning, having shared this with the staff, I waited for the people to come. Seven people came to that first meeting. We began our prayer group asking the Lord to guide us in our new ministry. I had prepared a prayer for the group to share. It was a prayer for the staff of the nursing home:

"Dear Lord, we're thankful for the love and devotion of those who have the responsibility for our care here. They are expressions of your love for us as they minister to us through the gifts, talents, and dedication they possess.

"We pray that you will encourage them in all areas of their lives. Be with their families. Protect them, guide them, and grant them a sense of your love and presence in all that they do.

"Grant them the strength, encouragement and determination to fulfill their tasks with the knowledge that you are their strength and help. May we all be given the gifts of patience and grace as we seek to serve you together."

A copy of this prayer was sent to every department in the nursing home: maintenance, food preparation, social services, each nursing station, the director of nursing, the director of the nursing home, and the secretaries. A copy was placed on the bulletin boards in the three nursing areas.

Similar prayers were written for the leaders of our state, the president, our senators, and our representative. We wanted them to know that they were in the hearts and minds of the people of our prayer group.

The Ministry Grows

Our second prayer meeting was attended by 11 residents. They came in rolling beds, wheel chairs, using walkers, or on their own. Our chapel is a small room for individual or small-group devotional meetings. By the third week it wasn't large enough to hold everyone, so we moved out into the dining-recreational room. Before long, 35 residents out of a 150 bed nursing home were attending.

I recruited a young volunteer to assist me. She brought a school girl who had a natural gift of relating and persuading individuals to try new things. The activities-staff personnel also helped us develop the prayer group. They encouraged staff members to bring interested people to the meetings.

Every week new people attended. Some of the originals left us through death or discharge from the home. But the group developed a supportive relationship with one another. Every meeting began by asking for what people or things each person was thankful. More and more the response beca,e, "I'm thankful for this group."

We began to receive responses from the letters we sent. The governor of our state thanked us for our concern and support. President Clinton responded with a four-paragraph letter of appreciation and thanks. Our two senators wrote personal letters with warmth and appreciation. These letters were read to the group. It was an encouragement to the intercessors to know they were being heard.

The impact of our group had a noticeable effect on the atmosphere of the entire nursing home. Staff members thanked us for our prayers. Every Thursday I was greeted by, "Oh, yes. Today is prayer day. Who do you want us to bring today?"

The director of Woodridge expressed her appreciation to me one morning. "Phil," she said, "this last week was one of the most difficult weeks I have ever faced in my time as director. I was tense, ill at ease, and deeply concerned. Then I looked on my desk and there was a copy of the prayer you and the group pray for all of us. I read it again. I realized that you were all praying for me, and I was able to breeze through the week. I really appreciate the care and concern of the group."

As we continue to meet, it is apparent that changes are taking place in the lives of the members of the group. Many are becoming more active in different programs offered by the activities staff. There is an obvious caring for one another. This also expresses itself in their willingness to listen to the expressions of thanksgiving or requests for specific prayers for individuals and their families.

The Power of Prayer

In my pastorates I developed an "Adopt a Shut-in" group. Every homebound person in a community was identified, then "adopted" by another person or couple. Those who were the adopters committed themselves to frequent and regular contacts with the person in their care. We often discussed how we might meet the needs of these people.

I feel now that meeting their needs was only the first step. There is a second step, even more important. It is a question we must ask our adopted shut-ins: "What are you willing to do for our Lord?"

I can only wonder at how our ministries would be changed and how our churches would grow if we integrated our homebound people into an active ministry and partnership in our churches. Think of the prayer partners available to us! Think of the power of prayer being unleashed in our churches and communities through the prayers of the elderly. It is they who have the time and the desire to find meaning and purpose again.

I am so thankful that one distraught resident instigated this chain of events. It has enriched the lives of so many people -- both those for whom we pray, and the people who pray. We are drawn close to our Lord and one another. Having been a chaplain of a mental institution and a pastor for 45 years, I discover again, isn't this what the church is all about?

This article originally appeared in inMinistry, a publication of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary , 6 Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood PA 19096. Reprinted with permission.