Our church operates an email listserv Prayer Chain.  Members are invited, but not required, to participate.  Anyone on the listserv can submit requests and all receive the messages (some have to tweak their email service to avoid the spam folder).

Most of the prayer requests are for ongoing illnesses or relationship issues.  Some are praise statements for ways they have seen God at work.  There are also cases where many are called to immediate prayers on a specific topic.  This past week a member had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and was being transported by ambulance to the hospital.  The Prayer Chain notice went out and people were praying even as the member was in route.

We have learned several things over the years of Prayer Chain operation.  As mentioned, members are invited, but not required to participate. Regular notices on how to sign up are placed in the church bulletin.  A special invitation is issued to those in the New Members class.

Comments and encouragements have been very helpful.  We urge that replies go to the sender, not to the whole listserv.

After several unfortunate posts, we changed to a monitored service, where requests are vetted and approved before being emailed.  This can result in delays, but has prevented unnecessary or unhealthy correspondence.  We also opened a second listserv specifically for NEWS items that were not prayer requests.

Facebook or other social media offer private group options which could be used in a similar fashion.  The speed and availability of electronic communication offers a wonderful opportunity to stay in touch with and support others.  James 5.16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  The listserv helps us know what to pray for.