by Dana Yost, Director of Prayer Ministry
Prayer Ministry is an important part of discipleship here at Hope. It’s a major “tool” God has given us to help free us from areas where we struggle and to bring about transformation and change in our lives. Some of the areas prayer ministry typically helps people experience freedom and healing include fears, anxiety, emotional pain, addictions, anger, resentment, shame, guilt, condemnation, and depression. As we 
hear God speak to us personally and receive His truth at the heart level, it transforms us. We grow and mature, which then enables us to have an even greater impact in the lives of those around us, including those God leads us to disciple. It’s definitely a ministry that we, as a relational, disciple-making church, can all benefit from.
I have many stories of people whose lives have been transformed by hearing God’s voice through prayer ministry. One story I’m privileged to share, with her permission, is about Tracy, a wife and mother of four adopted children, who grew up in a home with an alcoholic mother. A few years ago, she decide to begin prayer ministry to help her deal with the many hurtful issues in her life. In just a few months she made significant strides in her journey towards healing. With God’s help and grace, and as He revealed to her that He was right there with her, she was able to face many painful memories, release pent up anger and hate that she had stuffed as a child, and forgive her mother for the neglect and abuse that she suffered growing up.
Amazingly, in the midst of her healing journey, with the Lord’s nudging, Tracy chose to step out of her comfort zone and help her dad care for her mom as her health rapidly declined due to cancer. As a result, she was able to be with her mother at her bedside when she died, the day after Thanksgiving. To this day, Tracy is so thankful for God’s love, grace and healing power that enabled her to reconcile with her mom in her final days and to look back at that time without any regrets!
You can learn more about prayer ministry at Hope on our website. If you feel stuck in any area of your life, I hope you will consider taking a step of faith and reaching out to our Heavenly Father through prayer ministry.