As Manitobans practice social distancing, prayer groups are innovating new ways to pray together.

Prayer meetings are being re-grouped online as a way to continue praying together while keeping safe distances.

Jordan Michalski from Winnipeg church Soul Sanctuary says that his church prefers to meet in person, but will be continuing to pray as a group online until they can meet again.

"They can still have those conversations that they would have had in person, and they can actually still pray together," he says. "Here at Soul, we believe that you can not do life alone. What more of a cultural moment is (this true in) than the one that we are currently experiencing."

Soul Sanctuary usually hosts its Sunday service online but this week the church did not meet in person. 

"The ability for presence online when you are not able to physically be with the community has been an asset," Michalski says. 

Michalski believes that a church is not just about the sermon, but also about the people who attend. As soon as it is safe to do so, the pastor plans on hosting in-person services.

"I do not think you can forgo physical connection on a large scale for a long period of time. We are going to do what we have to do to keep people healthy," Michalski says. "Once there is the opportunity to come back together physically, we are going to do that."

Michalski notes he understands that meeting using Google Hangout or by Zoom may be new to many people. He says that to help groups pray together, the church created instructions on how to virtually connect.

"At the end of the day, you are still connected. You are praying with and for one another," the pastor says.

Only one prayer group from Soul Sanctuary has tried the temporary solution so far. Michalski says that the group found it different than what they were used to, but were able to successfully pray together.