Church offers drive-thru prayer

PEARLAND, TX -- These days, we can get fast food, coffee, prescriptions and even our dry cleaning from a drive-through. But the newest drive-through hot spot in the Houston area requires no purchase. Instead people are pulling over for prayer.

"It says drive-through prayer today," said Valerie Quintanilla.

The first time Cepeda saw the signs on Broadway Street in Pearland, she kept on driving. But one day, she stopped.

"Today, I decided to come because, truly, there's a lot of people struggling out there, and my struggle is different from other people, but I really need the prayer," she said.

Cepeda joined a line of cars waiting for prayer at El Alfarero Church that day.

"It's so unique in this fast world that we live in today," said El Alfarero Pastor John Lopez. "Look at your drive-through restaurants. Their windows are packed every day."

Pastor Lopez and co-pastor Danny Quintanilla created drive-through prayer for anyone who's in a rush and feeling life's stresses, but may not attend a place of worship.

"If you need prayer, no matter what background you are, we all need a prayer, we all need someone to pray with us, and that's what it's for," said Quintanilla.

They believe you can never have too much prayer, so volunteers often surround the cars and join the pastors in a group prayer.

"It's an all-day thing, and if we have one person drive in, that's enough to fulfill my heart that we're at least touching somebody in the community," said volunteer Mark Lopez.

For those pulling away, convenience is just one benefit.

"We could go to a drive-through and pick up food and waste more time than two minutes," said prayer recipient Eric Soto. "This is more than better than that. You're feeding your soul."

For Cepeda, she leaves with renewed faith.

"Maybe not now, but whatever I asked for, I know it's going to be answered.

The church only does drive-through prayer on specific weekends, but they have a 24/7 hotline to call for prayer. That number is 713-777-HOPE (4673)