For over 50 years in 2 parishes, Ida Glancie has been a leader of the Prayer Chain Ministry. A ministry based partly on the New Testament letter of James (5:16), which urged the early Christians to “pray for each other so that you may be healed”.
Ida and Hollis spoke about her Prayer Chain journey.
Hollis: When, why, and how did you get started with the Prayer Chain Ministry?
Ida: When I joined St. Phillip’s Parish, Burlington in 1965, we had just moved from Quebec to Ontario. There was a prayer request box available for parishioners to write down their concerns or requests. A group of people, probably members of the Worship Committee, would pray for the concerns in private. I was not a part of that group. Then the setup changed to a list at the back of the church showing dates, who requested the concern, and what they needed prayers for.
In the mid to late 1970’s, the Prayer Chain was introduced, and somehow, I got to run it. This was a telephone ministry only, and members were required to keep the requests confidential.
All requests were called in to me, and I would then pass them to each captain of the chain. There were usually 4 chains and 2 to 3 members on each chain. The captains would call the next person on their chain and so on. The Prayer Chain continued until St. Phillips closed in 2007.
Although I had not yet joined another church, I was still getting calls. I felt that as long as the need was there, I would continue running the chain.
Hollis: What happened when you joined a new church in Burlington?
Ida: I joined St. John’s Nelson in 2008. There was no active prayer chain there at that time. I approached our rector at the time, Bahman Kalantari, about continuing this ministry, and he approved of it.
Hollis: What kept you going, especially during difficult times?
Ida: The need to keep going was obvious; there was always someone needing prayers, and I believe strongly in the Power of Prayer.
Hollis: How does the Prayer Chain work today?
Ida: There are 4 chains with 2 or 3 members on each chain, resulting in 12 to 15 people praying for that one concern.
Parish members can join by calling me, and I will add them to a chain. The chain operates only through the parish, and requests can be for family members or friends. Permission needs to be given to go on the prayer chain, and we pray for the concern for 2 weeks.
Hollis: Can you give us an example from your personal experience?
Ida: When I was in the hospital on 4 particular occasions, I felt very calm and relaxed mainly because all the members of the prayer chain, family and others were praying for me. God always listens when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name.
Hollis: COVID paralyzed the whole world for years; how did the Prayer Chain respond under extreme circumstances?
Ida: During the pandemic, when we could not get together in person, I suggested that the members of the prayer chain could help to keep us connected. I asked, and they agreed, so I gave each member a list of 8 to 10 people to call from the parish list to check and see if anyone needed food, etc. It worked very well and was very much appreciated.
Hollis: Any other thoughts?
Ida: The Prayer Chain would not be as successful and effective without our wonderful volunteers, for which I am eternally thankful. I am always glad to help and greatly appreciate it when I would get calls asking for prayers of thanks to be sent out to the Prayer Chain members.
To God be the Glory.
(The Reverend Hollis Hiscock is a former Editor of the Niagara Anglican, living in Burlington).
The Harvest is Plentiful