History
Russell Barton was dropping his son off at kindergarten when he saw a note taped to the front door. One of the young mums had had a massive heart attack in her kitchen while making sandwiches.
This incident in 2004 was the catalyst which birthed the ministry of PrayForMe.
Russell, a Brisbane pastor, along with his wife Jenny developed the concept, set up a website and printed postcards. They wanted to create a non-threatening ‘connection point’ which would enable people who did not attend church but who still had a foundational belief in God to reach out and ask for prayer. Encouraging the involvement of local churches across Australia, they worked to establish ‘a conduit between people, communities and God’. Although the majority of Australians claim to believe in God, only a small minority regularly attend church services. It was Russell and Jenny’s aim to ‘create a doorway’ to link these people with those who would be willing to pray for them when they felt ready.
Only a year after starting PrayForMe, Russ and Jenny felt called to Uganda to work with vulnerable and war-displaced children. On taking up a position with Operation Uganda, they passed the baton to UCB Australia.
Today PrayForMe receives hundreds of phone calls every week, asking for prayer. In addition, there are emails, txt messages and letters from people all across Australia (and occasionally even beyond). Here is feedback from just two people who requested prayer:
I am so grateful and relieved that there are people who are willing to pray for me. Yes, God answered our prayers; it was the closest I've been to God for a long time. Thank you for helping me experience joy in my life.
Thank you so much for praying for work for my husband. He now has so much work ahead of him it will take him well into the New Year with possible long term contracts on top of that. God is so good and we really appreciate your prayer support.
PrayForMe is one of the five ministries of UCB Australia.
If you would like prayer for yourself or someone close to you, you can use the form opposite or if you'd like to pray with someone over the phone please call 1800 PrayForMe or 1800 772 936. You can also text your request to 0401 132 888
or write to Locked bag 3, Springwood QLD 4127.
If your church is willing to join with us in praying for others, phone us on 1800 00 777 0 to discuss how you can be involved.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8 NIV)
