Guest Blog written by: Jessica Brown

it started as a simple request.
she was facing something no one should face alone.
and she simply asked us to pray for her.

something stirred in my spirit.
something that said not just to say i would pray.
but something that said to actually do it.
together.

and so we did.
nine people.  
hands clasped.  
boldly approached the Throne.  
unified in prayer.

all praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! 
Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! 
He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, 

he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times 
so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 
we have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, 
but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—
we get a full measure of that, too.
2 corinthians 1:3-5

there are things this side of heaven we will never understand.
things that are unfair.
things that are unexpected.
things that take us by surprise and knock the wind out of our sails.
and these are the things we should never face alone.

so we’re not giving up. how could we! 
even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, 
on the inside, where God is making new life, 
not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 
these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, 
the lavish celebration prepared for us. there’s far more here than meets the eye. 
the things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. 
but the things we can’t see now will last forever.
2 corinthians 4:16-18

what a powerful and beautiful and awesome thing.  
prayer.  
and unity.  
it is even more beautiful when sisters stand together with clasped hands.
carrying the burden of another.
and laying it down on her behalf.

last night, we declared victory in Jesus.
we proclaimed His glorious name.
we petitioned for comfort and peace.
we unashamedly asked for a miracle.
and we praised Him for the lives of the ones we love.
lives that are beautiful love letters written by the One who is love.

your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. 
Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; 
not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
2 corinthians 3:3

may the words we spoke not be a reflection of ourselves, 
but may our actions be a reflection of God at work around us.  
may He be exalted and lifted up. may He be glorified.  
may those around the situation see His mighty works and praise His beautiful name.   
may we remain faithful in our declaration that His will is evident.  
and long after we drop our clasped hands, may they stay united in prayer and love.  

in the glorious and beautiful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.