By Lynn Hutchinson, Emeritus CBF field personnel
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20
I became part of our small “congregation” when I joined some women for a weekly prayer call more than 10 years ago. The others had been praying together longer than that. There are four of us now and we often give thanks to God, saying that we do not take this gift of time together for granted. When I am absent, I am delighted and reassured to know that they are still praying. When I return, they say, “Lynn’s here!” with a lilt in their voices and my heart gives a little leap of joy.
Decades ago, I lived in the same African country as one of these women. Another was a colleague as we both raised families in Europe. Often, we have gone years without seeing one another. Another woman and I have only been in the same physical space once. Yet I know and love each of these women as family. We may be continents and time-zones apart, but praying together brings us close. I hear the hearts of the others, and I receive grace while listening.
Why are these women and this practice “saving my life”?
- I find purpose in praying to support them, their families and others they accompany in life. There are people for whom we have prayed for months or even years.
- I hear their compassion and am inspired to love others better.
- Their prayers often reframe situations, leaving me with new perspectives.
- Sometimes we need the strength of friends to help carry a burden. When words fail me and I don’t know how to pray, they do.
- I can’t do everything by my own strength, and I don’t have to. There is a reminder of our dependence on God who is able to do abundantly more than we can imagine.
- Joy is shared with friends who rejoice with me and I with them.
- We offer gratitude for answered prayers. Those answers don’t go unnoticed.
- When they praise God, I receive a reminder of what God is like—not just what God has done for us.
- There is a focus on the fact that we exist for God and God’s greater purposes. We are privileged to be part of something bigger and more lasting than ourselves.
- I am honored to observe first-hand the deep wells of their faith. As I hear their expressions of faith, my own faith is renewed and strengthened.
- We are meant to live in communion with one another and praying together brings us into God’s presence in a fuller way. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20). Each time, I leave our prayer conversation knowing that God was truly present.
This practice has been a gracious gift from God and these prayer sisters. At different times, this call has provided inspiration and motivation, healing, strength to tackle hard challenges and the encouragement to not give up or the spark of joy and gratitude I carried into the day.
Do you have someone with whom to pray? If not, ask the Lord to guide you to that person.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
This week, ponder how you find connection and spiritual community. With whom do you pray? How do you reach out for support when you need it? What are the barriers to the practice of leaning into community in a vulnerable way?