We had a “prayer brunch” for the women at our church on Saturday. “Prayer brunch” might lead one to think, “Women in their pretty dresses, bringing in warm breakfast casseroles, a lot of talking and maybe a little bit of prayer.” Other than the “warm breakfast casseroles” part, the other couldn’t be farther from the truth. We gathered, we ate, I read Acts 2:42, and I reminded them of why we were there:
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer…” (Acts 2:42 NLT).
(See! The eating part is Biblical after all.) Then, our leader for the brunch had each woman write on an index card how we could be praying for her (and leave it anonymous). We threw the little cards in the same basket, and one by one a woman would draw the card out, read it, and then pray aloud right then and there for that woman whose card she drew.
I’m glad my friend was leading instead of me because I always do this thing in which I try to make everyone feel comfortable and say, “You don’t have to pray out loud if you don’t want to…” But she didn’t say that. She didn’t force anyone to pray out loud, but she also didn’t let everyone off the hook either. Of course, the Lord’s hand was in it—emboldening weary or anxious women. One by one almost every woman in the room prayed out loud—powerful prayers from seemingly timid souls. Those small, perfectly lined index cards contained big, messy prayers from women believing in an uncontainable God. Spiritually bleeding hearts were poured out on those cards—hearts begging for humility, for patience, for wisdom, for boldness in their witness, for freedom from addiction, for hearts that love their families and other people more than they love themselves.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. . . .
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.–Matthew 5:3, 8 NIV
The Spirit of God fell and filled that little Sunday school room, and for a little Saturday morning get-together we enjoyed a great unity that can only be found in Christ. I tried to wrap it up at 12:00 p.m. I had promised the ladies we would finish at 12:00, but they didn’t want to quit, so for another hour or so we prayed – this time not for ourselves but for our nation – prayers of repentance, for our persecuted brothers and sisters in places all over the world, and for the dark culture that we live in – a culture that masquerades as fun and filling but leaves people abandoned and empty.
The whole thing was simply beautiful. Young women, older women, single women, married women, poor women, rich women, feisty women, quiet women—I think the only common denominators for all of us were “women” and “Christian.” It was like being wrapped up in the most beautiful patchwork quilt you’ve ever seen—radiant hearts of unique individuals sewn together to make something beautiful, purposeful, and lasting.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
(Jesus, Matthew 18:20 NIV)
To God be the glory!
