Churches are getting creative as the lockdown drags on around NSW. At St Matthew’s, Manly, one of the members suggested putting up a sign asking for prayer requests via text. 

The church’s prominent location was put to good use. After liaising with the local council, the church erected two banners; one across the front of the church and a larger one that now stretches across the beachfront end of The Corso in Manly.

In the week since they were put up, the church has had many heartfelt requests for prayer. The texts are sent to a secure number where they are retrieved by one of St Matthew’s ministers, who immediately replies with a prayerful message. The requests are then edited and shared with a group that continue to pray for the issue.

The Manly initiative follows a similar banner erected during last year’s lockdown by St Mark’s, Freshwater. The banner was put up in Freshwater Village declaring that St Mark’s was praying for the community. 

Has your church found a creative way to help care for the community during lockdown? Email us and we’ll share the story.