Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Drive-thru prayer: ‘Stay in your car, come as you are’

  • November 2, 2021
  • Margaret Colson
  • Featured, Georgia, Latest News
A volunteer from Johnson Ferry Road Baptist Church prays with a motorist during a drive-thru prayer event at the church.
(Photos courtesy of Dolores Elliott)

Drive-thru prayer: ‘Stay in your car, come as you are’

Almost every day the average American pulls up to a local drive-thru — to order fast food, pick up laundry or even to deposit a check. Now a church in metro Atlanta is asking, “Why not a drive-thru for prayer?

Last year when the pandemic restricted Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in suburban Marietta, Georgia, from holding in-person community prayer services, church leaders decided to try something new — drive-thru prayer.

“Drive-thru prayer is ‘stay in your car, come as you are.’ The process is very simple and unintimidating,” said Dolores Elliott, prayer ministry coordinator for the church.

“Some who may not feel comfortable coming into a church … feel safe and secure in their car.”

Drive-thru prayer is held in the church parking lot 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

The time frame was strategically selected so that “moms can come when their children are in school, people can come on their lunch break and others who don’t want to come to an event at night will come during the day,” Elliott explained.

‘A smile and a prayer’

As teens stand near the busy thoroughfare in front of the church, holding signs to promote the parking lot prayer event, as many as 15 to 25 cars begin to stream in. Some drivers have even turned around to return to the church parking lot to request prayer. Usually five to eight intercessors are standing by, ready to offer a smile and a prayer.

“Johnson Ferry Road [where the church is located] is a busy street, but it is also a mission field. Every person who travels this street has needs,” said 83-year-old intercessor Sarah Freshour. “Drive-thru prayer gives them the opportunity to drive through and have their needs brought before the Lord and prayed for deeply by those who serve and know the awesome power of prayer.”

Launched as a response to COVID, drive-thru prayer has continued, even as pandemic restrictions have eased. Although Johnson Ferry Church, pastored by Clay Smith, is a large congregation in a suburban community, Elliott encourages churches of all sizes and in all contexts to consider drive-thru prayer.

“Drive-thru prayer is an easy way to reach out to the community surrounding you, letting people know your church is a place where they will find people to listen, love and pray for them,” Elliott explained.

‘God’s hand’ at work

“From the very first drive-thru prayer, we have seen God’s hand each month,” Elliott said.

One time a couple drove up, requesting prayer because they were getting married that evening. “What an honor it was to pray for this couple as they began their life together,” Elliott recalled.

Others requesting prayer may be driving home from a doctor’s office. “Some have had a devastating diagnosis,” and desperately need prayer, she said. Others “have come wanting to give praise for good news they received” from the doctor.

On another drive-thru prayer day, a car with three women who were searching for a lost female relative pulled into the parking lot. “She had been missing for a few days. They saw our sign and wanted prayer to find their relative,” Elliott said.

On at least one occasion, a woman in her car began by mentioning general prayer requests for the upcoming election and for churches. After closing in prayer, the intercessor asked if the guest had any other prayer requests. At that point, the woman in the car, a nurse, opened up about a more personal request; she needed a short-term rental for a couple of months before leaving the country. Another drive-thru prayer volunteer that day had a unique ministry, opening her home for women who needed short-term housing. The two women connected, and the guest’s prayer was answered in real time.

A few weeks later the homeowner discovered she would need a pacemaker. “That was a part of the story we did not know because God had sent the guest to the particular house He knew would need a nurse for a few days to care for her. Only God!” exclaimed Elliott.

“We know there are many people in this area who are hurting and dealing with the challenges of life. Each prayer is held in the utmost confidence. We understand what a privilege and honor it is to intercede for others,” Elliott said.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Ky. Supreme Court denies request to block abortion ban as litigation continues
    Ky. Supreme Court denies request to block abortion ban as litigation continues
    August 18, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • ‘A key role’: Baptist association leaders commit to gospel advance
    ‘A key role’: Baptist association leaders commit to gospel advance
    August 18, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Southern Baptists to recognize Global Hunger on Sunday, Aug. 28
    Southern Baptists to recognize Global Hunger on Sunday, Aug. 28
    August 18, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Ky. Supreme Court denies request to block abortion ban as litigation continues

The Kentucky Supreme Court denied a request by EMW Women’s Surgical Center and Planned Parenthood — the commonwealth’s only abortion providers — for emergency relief

‘A key role’: Baptist association leaders commit to gospel advance

“I wouldn’t be standing here today were it not for a director of missions,” the president of the International Mission Board shared during the Associational

Southern Baptists to recognize Global Hunger on Sunday, Aug. 28

The last few years have witnessed world-changing events that have disrupted supply chains and limited access to food for many people. Southern Baptists will, on

American Indian boy helps missions team lead 30-plus to Christ

A 10-year-old American Indian boy who recently came to faith in Christ in Montana has inspired a mission team from First Baptist Church Jonesboro with

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel