Prayer meeting

The life of the church is also marked by the importance of prayer. A plenary meeting, which takes place between late September and early October, aims to refocus community interests, avoiding forms of particularism. After that, throughout the year, prayer meetings take place in groups that meet in homes about every two weeks. The meeting begins with the reading of a biblical text, followed by an opening prayer by the person leading the meeting. After that, time is set aside for free sharing of prayer motives, which can be summarized in four categories: church life, personal motives, friendships, works or external relationships. Thus, there is space both to pray in reference to personal matters and in reference to broader topics such as aspects of church life. The sharing of subjects allows interceding in prayer for one another, leaving the reasons for thanksgiving for the free time of worship. Following the sharing, one prays freely without a particular time limit.

Both sharing and prayer call into play the confessing responsibility of the participants that enables them to enhance participation with their presence.

A hymn closes the meeting, but spontaneously the togetherness is prolonged, including sharing food, talking, deepening the reasons for prayer and rejoicing in fraternal fellowship.

The Prayer Groups, whose names are taken from Philippians 2:1-2, are:

• Consolation

• Comfort

• Communion

• Compassion

• Joy