From the Pews to the Pavement:Drive-Thru Prayer Ministry at Cumberland Presbyterian Starts May 2

Many of us have grown accustomed to drive-thru restaurants, drive-thru convenience stores and even drive-thru weddings. How many of us can get used to the idea of a drive-thru prayer ministry?

 Reverend David Carpenter at Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 210 S. Avenue M. announced the launch of their drive-thru prayer ministry that will begin Thursday, May 2, which happens to be National Day of Prayer.

 Every Thursday morning, beginning May 2, anyone who has a prayer request may stop by the church’s back parking lot located right off Cactus Street from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m.

 “This concept is different from the norm. Most people don’t like change so I am curious about how receptive people will be to this idea,” said Patti Morrison.

 Carpenter said he came up with the idea after he saw a news report on KFDX a year ago. “After seeing the news report, I started thinking and praying about it after I investigated several others doing the same thing across the country. We’d try it in Olney,” he said.

 Some critics say that although people respond to convenience, conveniences such as drive-thru prayer makes religion “transactional.” But isn’t the mere idea of a prayer request transactional in nature? Does it even matter if the greater good benefits as a result of this forward thinking?

 Carpenter said their main goal is to affect the lives of people in Olney positively. In doing so, they want to remind people about the importance of prayer because he believes prayer does change things. “We can make a positive impact in Olney,” he said.

 On Thursday mornings between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., consider allowing your faith to extend beyond the pew to the pavement by driving through the parking lot at Cumberland Presbyterian Church for prayer.