The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Community comes together for prayer
Willoughby House of Prayer — The Well — celebrates anniversary
Nestled in the heart of downtown Willoughby amid the hustle and bustle, lies a place of refuge.
The Willoughby House of Prayer — The Well, located at 4091 Erie St., offers the community daily prayer opportunities.
The Well is not a church, but instead a non-profit, Christ-centered, Biblebased, people-focused, multi-church prayer ministry.
“This is a place of consolation, it is a place of joy, it’s a place that you’re met where you’re at,” said Margaret Lanese, the ministry co-director. “We just listen to people and see how we can help them find hope and sometimes that is through our loving presence.”
The Well is celebrating its fifth anniversary and Director Darlene Dryer recently reflected on the positive impact the ministry has on the community.
“It is the Holy Spirit that started this,” she said. “We’re meant to be here to help people. Everyone is welcome.”
Over 12 churches of different denominations are involved.
Dryer often visits and prays for local merchants and community members.
“There are so many prayer requests that not only come from the businesses, but their clientele as well,” Lanese said. “People are eager to give prayer requests to Darlene. They may not be as eager to walk in the door, but that’s OK.”
The Well also has several indoor prayer dry erase boards and an outdoor board, where hundreds of prayer requests are written.
“Last month we had over 300 prayer requests on the board,” she said. “We pray for each one of those prayer requests. We’re here to prayerfully support people that are struggling with various challenges.”
Besides daily prayer opportunities, a support group is offered to families and individuals affected by addiction and incarceration. People in need are also referred to other area community resources.
On Sept. 9, The Well is hosting an informational event that is open to the public.
“We’re inviting people to come in and hear what this ministry is all about,” Lanese said. “We definitely have a need for more volunteers and once people learn more about us, they may be moved to help. We hope we can be here more hours, which means we need more people to volunteer.”
The Well is open six hours a day, five days a week. Dryer hopes that one day it can be opened 24 hours.
For more information about The Well, visit www. waprayer.com, and if interested in volunteering contact Dryer at 440-9425966.
“This is a place of consolation, it is a place of joy, it’s a place that you’re met where you’re at. We just listen to people and see how we can help them find hope and sometimes that is through our loving presence.” — Margaret Lanese, the ministry co-director