Seeking Sanctuary
Outreach Magazine Editors

People in your community may be dealing with grief over  the loss of a loved one, struggling with guilt or just  having a difficult day, and they don’t know where to go  to find solace. They may not attend church regularly or  even consider themselves religious, but in time of need,  their instinct is to find a haven or safe place where  they can escape from the hustle and bustle of life,  kneel at the altar or simply light a candle for a loved  one. Offer them this quiet place by converting your  church’s sanctuary into a prayer chapel at little or no  cost to you.

Advertise. Place signs around the church building  advertising the prayer chapel, which you can keep open
24 hours or posted hours. Signs might read, “Need a  moment of peace? Stop by our prayer chapel.”

Enhance The Atmosphere. Keep the lights dim and the  interior cool, making it a quiet and comfortable refuge  for visitors. Provide a place to kneel, and candles and  matches. Many people who grew up in the Catholic church  find comfort in using candles in conjunction with  prayer.

Supply. Provide Bibles and hymnals for reading and  meditation. Place a sign near the Bibles urging people
to take one.

Connect. Have prayer/ connection cards and pens  available, along with a box for people to drop in their
prayer requests when they are finished. If they wish,  they can check a box on the card asking to be contacted  by a pastor. Consider having a staff member “on duty”  while the prayer chapel is open.

Write. Put out a journal for people to express their  thoughts and feelings anonymously.

Promote. Make sure signs and pamphlets about services  and ministries are clearly visible.

The above article, “Seeking Sanctuary,” was written by  the Outreach Magazine Editors. The article was excerpted  from pg 12 of “Keep the Change, Outreach on a  Shoestring,” which is featured in the Outreach magazine.

The material is most likely copyrighted and should not  be reprinted under any other name or author. However,  this material may be freely used for personal study or  research purposes.

This article may not be written by an Apostolic author,  but it contains many excellent principles and concepts  that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying  goes, “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”