Prayers for Healing Ministry
Since 1992 a monthly ecumenical Prayer for Healing service has been hosted by and held in Park Church. It was started by a retired Church of Scotland minister, Sandy Duff (formerly of Symington, Lanarkshire) and his wife Netta, who were living in Loancroft Gardens. His name is listed in Cameron Peddie’s amazing autobiography “The Hidden Talent”, (first published in 1966 and still well worth reading) as a member of the Glasgow Group of the Divine Healing ministry.
The services are held in Park Church on the first Tuesday of each month, commencing at 10.30 am, and last about one hour. Park has always been a particularly suitable venue, especially as it is always open on Tuesday (and Thursday) mornings for tea and coffee, providing an opportunity for further fellowship before and after the meetings.
When the Uddingston meeting first started a pamphlet was issued which included the following words.
“As well as praying for people whose names have been submitted there is opportunity for those who wish for personal prayer to be prayed with. Any who need more intensive counselling or prayer than is practicable at the service can arrange to meet later privately with one or more of the ministry team.
A word about OUR EXPECTATIONS: we are meeting together in the name of Jesus, and we are sure that according to His promise He is with us. He is still the healing Lord, and through Him God answers our prayers. We can therefore confidently expect SOME healing touch or gift for all those for whom we pray. It may be a physical healing; it may be swift and dramatic, though more often it is likely to be gradual or cumulative. It may be an invitation to trust and follow Jesus in a new way, and perhaps a call to penitence and forgiveness – or to forgive others. It may be a healing of wounded relationships. God has many healing gifts in store for us, if we turn to Him and work with Him, together, in faith and love.
So do join with us, and share in the lovely things our God is doing.”
After a few years Sandy passed away, as did eventually his wife Netta, who was a talented artist, and a regular exhibitor in the annual Village Art exhibition. Another long-standing member of the group, Eileen Reilly took over the running of the meeting for some years, until increasing debility caused her to relinquish that post.
John Weeks, also from the group – and who is a member of the East Kilbride Healing Rooms team - succeeded her, and has kept the meeting running since then. We have a faithful core group, with others who come and go. A banner, displayed on the Main Street railings of the church a few days before our meetings has drawn in enquirers from time to time, and they have received prayer ministry. The format of the service is flexible, but generally consists of some opening Praise, led by Gerry Robb on his guitar, a short talk, by John or (from time to time) a visiting speaker, followed by praying (in smaller groups) for people whose names have been submitted. We are always pleased when there are names in the Thanksgiving section, rejoicing with them for answered prayer.
A more recent development is that of an occasional Sunday evening meeting (as took place on October 31st, 2010) which enables people who are working during the week to attend. For these we try to invite a leader from one of the local Healing Rooms, or someone with a specific ministry of healing, to come and speak, followed by personal prayer ministry.
For further information, please feel free to contact John Weeks, email address: