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National
Prayer Center
Hurting? Call 1-800-4-PRAYER
The bumper stickers read, "Hurting? Call 1-800-4-PRAYER." Hundreds
of thousands have responded since 1994, when the Assemblies of God National
Prayer Center opened its phone lines to provide prayer for expressed
needs by callers and for those who write, e-mail and fax requests.
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Throwing
a lifeline
Being a Satellite Prayer Center has changed our church. In the
beginning many were skeptical and fearful, but now they do not
want to stop praying.
 A
year and a half ago we added this ministry to our regular Wednesday
night prayer service. We have two people on the phones and a third
person who serves as a runner, bringing the requests to a group
of 35-40 intercessors in the sanctuary.
1-800-4-PRAYER throws out a lifeline to people who are in a hopeless
situation, but it also changes those who are praying. Those involved
are experiencing revival and personal renewal. They get so excited
when they have a chance to lead people to the Lord on the phone.
There’s also excitement when we get praise reports back.
This has allowed our church to expand our borders and reach beyond
our personal needs. It’s a life-changing ministry.
— W. Dean Moore, prayer coordinator
Evangel Assembly of God
Muskogee, Okla.
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"Prayer has always been a focal point for this Fellowship," says Madonna
Paulson, coordinator for the prayer center. "We believe prayer brings
literal transformation to lives and hearts. This ministry is a powerful
tool to reach those in our world who are hurting."
Prayer center volunteers pray with callers, asking only their first
names. Paulson believes the confidentiality helps callers open up, confess
sin and redirect their lives. "Our sole purpose is prayer," she says.
"We do not counsel or offer suggestions to callers. We do not solicit
funds. We simply believe in the power of prayer and the effectiveness
of the Word of God in prayer."
If a caller accepts Christ and chooses to provide a mailing address,
the center will send a Bible and Christian literature. Callers are encouraged
to find an Assemblies of God church through their yellow pages, but
no specific referrals are given.
More than 400 Assemblies of God churches have joined as Satellite Prayer
Centers or members of the Intercessory Prayer Network.
As a satellite center, a church can receive calls at their local church
(cost-free). These volunteers are critical to the success of the ministry.
"In the year 2000 the prayer center received 402,833 calls, but we were
only able to answer 58 percent of those calls," Paulson says. "My heart
grieves for the unanswered calls. We desperately need more volunteers
to keep up with the growth."
Churches who participate in the Intercessory Prayer Network receive
copies of requests via fax or e-mail and take the requests daily to
the Lord in prayer.
Calls are answered seven days a week, with an average of 1,100 calls
per day. "We are seeing miraculous things happen daily," says Paulson.
"Healings, restored relationships, freedom from addiction — whatever
the Bible promises, we are seeing it through the National Prayer Center."
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