The Power of Prayer

On Saturday night I did a community service event at a battered women's shelter. Eye. Opening. To think how easily our lives can be turned upside down to have all of the contents scatter everywhere is overwhelming. The job of my group was to give a much needed break to the moms and watch the kiddos for a little while. I wondered how many of the kids truly understood why they were there. I wondered how heavy the load they carried was. One girl I met seemed still raw with the pain of whatever circumstance landed her there. She was the oldest and, most likely, the one who understood the hopelessness she'd lived in the most. When it was time to leave, she asked me if I'd be back on Monday with the local church. It broke my heart. Not because she wanted to see me again, but because I knew the answer. No, I won't be there. I might never see you again. It's not because I don't care. It's not because I "don't have time". It's because I volunteer with YoungLife, a group committed to introducing teenagers to Christ. And YoungLife meets on Mondays.

I carried this heartbreak with me to church this morning. We've been going through a series called "Justice". It's about the need of God's people around the world. This week our pastor, David Chadwick, talked about genocide. One line stuck out particularly to me. He said something about how even though some of us may not be able to physically help, we can pray. That made me think of my new friend. And I knew. I may not be the one He places in her life to help, but I can pray. So I did. I am. I'm making a commitment to pray for her - pray for her heartbreak, her healing, and her journey towards Him.

If you've read this much, my prayer is that God has opened your heart to her as well. Please pray. I can't give out her name for safety purposes, but God will know who you're talking about. He loves her. He created her out of His image for a unique purpose. He has a plan for her, and it involves healing. Open your heart for her for one moment, just one prayer. There is strength in numbers and power in prayer. And open your heart to others, and maybe you'll make a new friend too.