When we see accidents and natural disasters, often our first response is to pray. It feels good to know we can do something to help situations we have no physical control over.
According to Pew Research Center, 55% of adults pray at least once per day. People pray for many reasons: for comfort during difficult times, for miracles in impossible circumstances, and as a part of worship.
Catholic Charities helps many people in crisis in Arizona. But as a faith-based social service agency, it also has a team of volunteers who pray.
Prayer Champions
Catholic Charities Prayer Champions are volunteers from different religious backgrounds who believe in the power of prayer. Each week, Dulce Valdez, Catholic Charities Parish and Diocesan Engagement Manager, collects prayer requests from team members, emails and an online form, and distributes those prayer requests to 49 volunteers who have committed to pray for these needs.
This program has widespread support. Paul Mulligan, Catholic Charities President and CEO, says, “I love that we do this at Catholic Charities, where you don't have to be Catholic to serve, or to be served - or to pray with us! God is ‘our Father’ and that makes us His children. What a beautiful thing for us to pray together for each other as family: brother, sister, neighbor!”
Who Can Become a Prayer Champion?
Volunteering as a Prayer Champion is easy to do. Anyone interested can contact Dulce Valdez to learn more. Once signed up, volunteers will receive a weekly email with a list of prayer requests. Volunteers do not have to be Catholic to serve. Jessica, who does not identify as Catholic or Christian, volunteers because she believes the world is in need of prayer.
Our Prayer Champions can live anywhere. Some are Catholic Charities employees, but many are people of faith who want to make a real difference. Prayer Champion Mary says, “It is rewarding to know that you may be helping someone in dire need of prayers. And it is easy to do so from the comfort of your home.”
The Impact of Prayer
The prayer requests often come in anonymously. Prayer Champions won’t know the impact of their intercession, but they do know it has a profound impact on themselves. Volunteer Yolanda says, “At times it is hard to read the needs of others that you do not know or have not seen. My faith has grown because even though I don't know them, I can lift up a prayer to assist them in their hardships that they are currently enduring.”
“Not only are we confident that God hears our prayers, [but] it draws us closer to Him as well,” says Steve Capobres, Vice President of Business Development and Prayer Champion. “This is the biggest way you can help us. There is nothing more important you can do than to pray for us!”
