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.
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.