Bethany Community Church

40 Days of Prayer from BethanyCommunityChurch on Vimeo.

“In the same way that a new season’s coming to the garden, Bethany is also entering a new season, punctuated by the rhythms of prayer, celebration, and service.  Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 9, we’re calling our community to 40 Days of Prayer—24 hours a day, seven days a week—right up to Easter.  We’ve devoted a space to this project, and by collectively practicing the spiritual discipline of prayer, we hope to “inhale” together—making room for God to nourish our spirits and reveal himself to us. Sign ups begin today. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to join us in praying for our own lives and families, our church (as our council is presently working on long-range plans for the future), our city, and our world. ”

—Pastor Richard Dahlstrom

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Why we’re doing this
During the first several months of this year, we have been talking about prayer.  As we move through Lent, we ask the question what would it look like if, as a community, we commit to having at least one person praying in the same space—every minute of every day. We have transformed a room in the Christian Education building to serve as a tool in helping us to pray. For some, this opportunity will be exciting; for others, it will be intimidating. For all of us, it is an incredible opportunity—an opportunity to see what God will do when we give ourselves to prayer as individuals and as a community. Join us as we pray for 1,104 consecutive hours.

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What is it?
Forty consecutive days of at least one person praying in Bethany’s 40 Day Prayer Room, located in the CE building. Pray for whatever you would like; there will be tools and resources in the room to help guide you.
We will pray in one-hour increments (on the hour). Pray alone or invite a friend, small group, or family member. Nobody else will sign up for your hour, but you are welcome to invite others or come as a group.

We also have a online 40 Days of Prayer Devotional Guide. (Click to view or download as a pdf.) to accompany this season of inhaling. You’ll find a daily scripture reading and reflection questions designed to bring you into a time of daily prayer to complement time spent in the 40 Day Prayer Room.

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How do I sign up?
(click on any image to make larger)
• Go to google.com/calendar
• Enter username: prayduringlent
• Enter password: bethany2011

• From “week” view (top left-hand corner), navigate to your desired date using the arrows.
• Enter your name in one hour (on the hour) increments—please include your phone number. (If you’re uncomfortable leaving phone number, please email us with name, phone number, and time you signed up for).

• Do not sign up for a time that has someone else’s name on it; only one name per hour should appear on the calendar.
Registration is also available in the Sanctuary foyer before and after services.

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I signed up—now what?
Come to the CE building at your allotted time. If the CE door is locked, ring the Prayer Room doorbell; the person finishing the previous shift will let you in. Pray for an hour. The person scheduled after you will ring the bell; please let them in. Please do not miss your time and interrupt the consecutive hours of prayer.