Editor’s note: This information was published in a previous issue of Heartfelt Magazine, CHM’s monthly magazine that provides CHM membership-related tips and tricks, medical advice from doctors, testimonies from CHM members and more. Please refer to the CHM Guidelines and applicable web pages for the most up-to-date information regarding CHM membership, sharing eligibility and ministry news.
The Bible instructs us to be a light in the darkness and to do good when we have the power to do so. CHM provides members with opportunities to minister to one another. Do you want to make a difference in the lives of your fellow members? Here are five ways:
Prayer Cards
Prayer is one of the foundations of the Christian community. That’s why we provide ways to include prayer in every portion of our ministry. With each monthly gift form, you also receive a card featuring a CHM member who is requesting prayer. As soon as you get it, take time to pray for the member, and continue to pray for them throughout the next month. Post these cards on mirrors or refrigerator doors, tuck them into Bibles or journals, and stash them in car visors or any other handy place as a visible reminder to remember the requested needs in prayer.
Letters of Encouragement
Monthly Prayer Cards and the Prayer Page appearing in Heartfelt Magazine list members’ postal and email addresses. Why? So that you can reach out with extra encouragement. CHM members consistently report that cards of encouragement from a fellow member brighten their days immeasurably.
As you prepare to write your card or email, pray for the person and their individual request. You can encourage them by:
- Composing a specific prayer or telling them how you’re praying for them
- Including a favorite verse or passage
- Sharing experiences of God’s power or the faithfulness of God’s people
- Writing from your heart
Need additional tips on what to include in your letter of encouragement? See examples provided in this blog post.
Warrior Wednesday
Every Wednesday, the CHM family virtually gathers on CHM’s Facebook page to pray over requests that come in. This is a special opportunity to interact with your CHM family as you spiritually uplift a fellow member—it’s a visible display of God’s love being poured out through His people.
If you haven’t yet joined us for a Warrior Wednesday, consider joining us this week!
Extra Giving
The Prayer Page is an outpouring of love—prompted by the Holy Spirit and carried out by faithful members—through which CHM members give above and beyond their monthly gift amount to share the needs of members with maintained pre-existing conditions. Members on the Prayer Page have either exceeded the Gold Schedule or are Silver or Bronze members whose medical bills for pre-existing conditions are ineligible under the regular program.
Through your donations, you’re stepping up to care for fellow members and shoulder the burdens that would be too much for them to bear alone. You’re living out Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hear about the gratitude of members blessed by Prayer Page giving here.
Prayer for the ministry
Praying for the ministry might not seem like an obvious way of making a direct impact on the lives of your fellow members. However, your prayers enable CHM staff to reduce sharing time, to effectively pray and encourage members over the phone and to be an example of Christian love to the world.
How can you pray for CHM?
- Ask for wisdom, clarity and insight from God for the leadership as they make daily decisions.
- Request that the staff will be blessed with the ability and focus to work efficiently and effectively.
- Pray for the staff as they encourage and interact with members.
These five ways you can make a difference, while not requiring a lot of work, provide immeasurable encouragement and support to your fellow members experiencing a medical event. We encourage you to follow the Lord’s leading about how you can make a difference.
