On a beautiful Tuesday evening in May, a small circle of six people gathered and prayer- walked around the church building and the streets in this church neighborhood. Fresh air, sweet fragrance, and spring flowers seemed to rejoice with us as we blessed our neighbors, walked, talked, and enjoyed each other as we rejoiced in the Lord. Our Prayer Walk turned out to be a time of physical well-being, exercise, and friendship/fellowship. It was more than a spiritual practice. It was fun and joyful seeing neighbors’ colorful gardens and to greet some neighbors, who were sitting on their front porches and working in their front yards.
Suddenly, a lady smiled and asked, “Are you guys treasure hunting?” Someone in our group happily replied, “We are prayer walking, praying and blessing our neighbors!”
After a few moments of silence, all of us thought about the neighbor’s greeting to strangers. Her simple words remained in our hearts as it was singing into our souls. It seemed that the Holy Spirit was asking us, “Why are you doing what you are doing?” “Did you know you are not just walking but treasure hunting for My people?” No one said anything at first, but later we all agreed by saying, “That’s right, Yes, indeed! We are treasure hunting for God’s people. Praying for our neighbors is treasure hunting because they are precious treasures in the sight of God. It doesn’t matter whether our neighbors recognize that or not; we simply ask God to open their hearts so they can see the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ in their lives.
That’s what prayer is, developing a relationship with a loving God and with our neighbors and other believers in Christ. It is not an extra chore, but rather it’s a journey to grow and to bless the church families and friends, people in our neighborhood, city, and nation.
Prayer is plugging into the power of the Holy Spirit for renewal, revival, and transformation!
In order to “treasure hunt” more effectively and powerfully, the Congregational Care Prayer ministry team invites our church family to join one of the prayer gatherings we have launched:
If anyone would like to learn more about prayer and to overcome fear in praying with others, meet us in the Little Theater on Sundays at 9:30-10:30 am
We offer different styles of prayer at the Tuesday Evening Prayer Gathering from 6:30–7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
1st Tuesday —Prayer Walk
2nd Tuesday–Taize (No service in Summer)
3rd Tuesday- Pray with Scriptures and Songs
4th Tuesday-Contemporary Prayer and Praise
5th Tuesday—Contemplative Prayer
Other Prayer Groups are open to all through the week.
Sunday Morning Prayer (7:00 am),
Tuesday Morning Intercessory Prayer (9:00 am),
Prayer Shawl (2nd & 4th Tues. 6:30 pm),
Going Deeper (Wed 10:00 am),
Healing prayer (3rd Sunday at 11:00 am),
Inner City Prayer Walk (June 22 at 6:30 pm),
Email prayer Chain (Daily)
Prayer Wall -Welcome Center (Daily)
Please contact Sue Lee at sljin@hpcumc.org, 979-8186 for more information.
The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good fruit (Luke 6:45).
Jesus said not to store up earthy treasures, but to seek the real treasure in life, which is the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:19, 13:44).
In Christ,
Rev. Sue Lee Jin
Pastor of Care and Prayer Ministry