Welcome in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We believe the power of the Holy Spirit is made known through prayer — in individuals, families, the church, and society. Prayer is one of the most direct ways of drawing near to God, a way to deeply experience his healing and restoration. Prayer also stirs each of us to live for God's Kingdom with the spiritual gifts we have been given. Prayer carries real love, and all that is accomplished through it belongs to God — the One who always leads us to springs of living water. We welcome everyone visiting the New Hope Community Church website. Wherever you are from, we would love to hear from you.
We Pray for You
Brothers and sisters whose ministry is prayer — the Elim prayer group — meet every Friday evening. What you write goes to them and to the pastors, who pray for you by name. It is never read out in public.
The church is a body, not an audience. Paul writes that the parts we think less honourable, we clothe with greater honour — you do not have to look presentable before this body will carry you. You don't need spiritual words; write the way you speak. And you don't need to be a Christian yet, or ever to have visited us.
When blind Bartimaeus cried out by the roadside, the crowd told him to be quiet. But Jesus stopped, called him over, and asked him one question: What do you want me to do for you? The Lord did not guess for him, and Bartimaeus did not hide. He said it plainly — I want to see — and he was heard. Say it plainly, just like that. We will pray for you.
It goes only to the Elim brothers and sisters and the pastors, who pray for you by name. It is never read out in a gathering, and never passed to anyone else. If you wish to update or withdraw it, simply write and tell us.
The promise of Scripture is plain: "This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us." (1 John 5:14) Prayer is not talking God around; it is placing yourself in the hands of the God who listens.
The church prays for the sick as the Scriptures direct: "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14) We ask earnestly — and we equally encourage you to seek your doctors' help. Prayer and medicine were never rivals.
Write as much or as little as you like. A name to call you by is enough; contact details are up to you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.——Philippians 4:6
Learn to Pray
The disciples said to Jesus: Lord, teach us to pray. And he gave them the Lord's Prayer — not a text to recite, but the very shape of prayer. Following it, anyone can begin.
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Who we pray to
Our Father in heaven. Prayer is first a relationship, not a ritual — we come to God as children to a father, in love. So the first word of prayer is to call on him.
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What we pray
First, that God's name be hallowed; then, that his Kingdom come and his will be done; and only then our own matters — today's need (our daily bread), yesterday's debt (forgive us our sins), and tomorrow's road (lead us not into temptation). The order itself is the lesson: seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness.
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How we entrust
For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are the Father's forever. Prayer does not end by holding tighter, but by letting go — placing everything we asked back into God's hands.
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In the Lord's name
We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. We come to the Father not on our own standing, but through him.
Any time. Scripture says to pray without ceasing — not to kneel all day, but to keep the heart open toward God. A word to him in the morning, thanks before meals, entrusting the day before sleep, and prayer on the spot when things come. For many of us, the 6:00am online morning worship is the first word of the day.
Sometimes the weight is too great for words. Scripture says: "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered." (Romans 8:26) The prayer that cannot find words — God hears that too.
Reading Scripture is listening to God; prayer is answering him. The simplest practice: read a short passage of the Gospels, and turn what you read into prayer — where he heals, ask for the sick; where he forgives, bring him your own debts. Let the word and prayer walk together, and both come alive.
The Lord promised: "If two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:19) Prayer can be private, but it need not be lonely — find a brother or sister and pray for each other aloud. It is the fastest way to learn.
You didn't choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.——John 15:16
Pray with Us
The Elim prayer meeting gathers at church every Friday at 6:30pm, with dinner from 6:00 — we eat together first, then pray together. Morning worship is online at 6:00 every day, so the day begins with prayer. You can join any time, and it is completely fine to just sit and listen.
View Full CalendarOn Friday we eat together at 6:00, and begin at 6:30: a song or two, a short passage of Scripture, and then we pray — aloud or in silence, as you wish; no one will call on you. It ends after about an hour, and you are free to stay on or slip away.
In the wilderness, Israel came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped by the waters. Our Friday prayer meeting carries this name, shared with our network's Elim Center — may prayer be an oasis on the wilderness road, where the weary find strength.
- For the church: for Melbourne and our sister churches everywhere — that the Lord would strengthen every gathering and every ministry.
- For the city: for Melbourne, its students and its far-from-home — that the weary would find rest.
- For the church worldwide: for churches under hardship and persecution — that the Lord himself would comfort them and keep their faith.
Scripture says: "Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective." (James 5:16) In the prayer meeting we carry one another's names to God — to be remembered by name is the gentlest daily habit of this family.
If you cannot be there in person, you can still be of one heart: morning worship is online at 6:00 every day, so the day begins with prayer; or keep watch at home over the things we are praying for. One God, one body — together even when apart.
The prayer meeting intercedes for one another — and for you. Write down your need, and on Friday evening someone will pray for you by name.
They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters.
Exodus 15:27