By Karen Peterson Leader Staff

ST. IGNATIUS — If there is strength in numbers then the newly organized prayer team in Mission has the right idea.

The idea behind the prayer team is that people pray for participants by surrounding them in an individual session with words of kindness, Bible verses, songs and whatever else they "feel" might help a person on their journey through life.

"Basically you walk in the clinic, sign in and a team of trained people pray for you," director Julie Browne said.

On entering the facility each person is asked to fill out a questionnaire that asks them to identify any specific issues that they would like to have prayed for.

"People come in for all types of reasons. We had a person that was a meth addict come in, another with diabetes … all kinds of things," director Tim Browne said.

Those offering the prayers have taken a training class that sensitizes them to others' needs and once they have taken the class they are slowly introduced into a "prayer team." Basically, they are just people that want to help.

"We are very ordinary people standing with other people fending for their health," he said. "Sometimes it is nice to have a place to come and to have people stand for that."

Though this healing room is two months old the concept of a healing room is not a new idea.

"Globally there are nearly 700 rooms," he said. "And, last fall we really felt a call to open a room in this valley."

A number of area churches are involved in the non-profit program.

"We are here to support churches. We are hoping that many more churches get involved. And we are hoping that many more people come in. People don't have to be a part of a church to come in either," he said.

The Healing Room is located on Main Street at the Head Start building and it is open to all on Fridays from 1-8 p.m.

"We have been allowed to use this building by the tribe as nonprofit organization. The use of this building has been a blessing," he said. "And everyone is welcome, even children, at no fee."