Throughout our communities, there is an invisible thread connecting the hearts of residents, families and staff, strengthening us in times of struggle, renewing us in hope and expanding our sense of possibility. This thread is prayer.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – John 10:11, NIV
Perhaps you’ve seen people in our communities wearing a gold praying hands pin. This is a symbol of the thread that is woven through our Christian ministry and available to all. Many of us pray silently, but might feel tongue-tied when praying aloud, which is why our campus pastors offer the Praying Hands Ministry training. This training is open to residents, volunteers, family members and staff who would like to offer prayers that are:
- Relational. Our prayers help us to draw closer God and to each other, deepening bonds and uniting our hearts.
- Conversational. Our prayers do not need to be fancy. They are the opening of ourselves before God, trusting that we are entering into conversation with One who loves us more than we can imagine.
- Trinitarian. The prayers we offer are Christian, capturing the sacred mystery of unity in relationship, three in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
If you would like to learn more about this program, connect with your campus pastor, who can offer training and guidance so that you can extend this crucial thread and be a source of strength and solace within your PHS community.
Read more about the impact of Praying Hands ministry at our communities in Praying Hands: Lifting others in prayer
Optage Hospice Chaplain Jenny Schroedel facilitates grief groups across PHS sites and in the larger community. She lived in Hawaii for a decade, before returning home to Minnesota. In Hawaii she worked as Director of Bereavement Services and helped found Hospice of Kona’s Maluihi Grief Center. Jenny is also an author, most recently of Naming The Child: Hope-filled Reflections on Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
