items of interest

with contributions from Jill Callison, Ross Marowits

"THERE ARE PRAYERS, and there are Prayers. And at Center of Hope in northen Sioux Falls, the Prayers offer Prayers for those in need

"Prayers are the 100 or so people like Joyce Wrage of brookings who have volunteered to offer up prayers when the requests arrive via their computer e-mail. 'Usually at the time they come, when I read through them, I will pray at that time and then at varying other times,' Wrage says. 'Sometimes it's something that stays with you, and you just can't let go.' Fred Wilgenburg, Center of Hope's ministry director, sends out regular e-mails listing the prayer requests that have come into the center....

"God works through that and answers Prayers,' Wilgenburg explains. 'People pray for specific needs, concerns and praises. It's a continuing thing for those who get involved.' Prayers such as Wrage don't know the names of the people they are praying for or the specifics of their situations. Wilgenburg is careful to guard their privacy. 'They're desperately seeking something, whether it's physical or economical, and the only way I can help them is spiritually,' Wrage says. 'Their identity is not an issue. God knows who they are.'"

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