Featured Story
Story from AmyLyn
Wow! When Prayer Sisters were thrown into my path (or I was thrown into theirs!), my life changed.
It was a brisk day in January when I found myself at a woman's retreat put on by my church, Southeast Christian. I really had no plan on going; it was at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and I couldn't afford to go. Right before the retreat I got a call saying that someone had cancelled at the last minute and I could take her spot.
On the day of the retreat I woke up in this very calm mood. I was not feeling any pain, stress, or deep, dark sadness and depression that I had been feeling for months. I found myself alone at a retreat full of people I didn't know but remarkably I was at peace. Throughout the day I didn't put much thought about who my assigned roommates were. God had arranged the opportunity for me to get there, so I didn't have any doubt he was behind the rest of the details (little did I know he had so much planned for me).
That evening I went to my room alone and peacefully fell asleep in that cozy Broadmoor bed with a sleeping mask on in case my roomies came in late and turned on the lights. Later, unknown to me, my three roommates giggled about their mysterious roomy and her high-heeled black boots, and they quickly named me "Boots."
The alarm clock woke us all around 6 am. Sally sat up first and said something. Recognizing her voice I blurted out, "Hey I know you!" Sally had taken care of my kids at day camp the previous summer and we all loved her. We laughed while we all got ready as everyone told me their silly stories about trying to meet me and their nickname for me. We all went to breakfast together already feeling a divine connection and attachment for each other.
After breakfast my roomies invited me to join the prayer team before the morning session. I gladly accepted. I knew I could use a team of God's people praying for me. So, I asked for prayer and when it was over Kathy Groom said to me, "I went through some of your same struggles and I feel really led to pray with you." I was so touched; I could use all the help I could get. We agreed to meet after the last session at the Prayer Sisters table.
At that session I sat with my roomies Kristen, Sally and Dawna. The worship songs made me cry and Kristen put her arm around me and spoke these words softly, "It will be ok now. We're here for you and we need you as much as you need us." I felt even more touched and moved. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving in all this and I felt very special.
After the meeting, Kathy as well as one of her best friends and Prayer Sisters Libby, prayed over me. It was the most spiritual experience I had ever, I mean ever, had. God's power was in the room as I wept more and more; they prayed for things that only God knew was troubling me. I didn't want this prayer or this moment to ever end but when we opened our eyes a bond had been made. I could not deny these women were sent to me from God, and this ministry Prayer Sisters International was anointed.
I got the great privilege to get to know Kathy more over the last few months which has been quite a privilege. I'm honored to say I have jumped on the Prayer Sisters International ministry team because I believe in it so much. Kathy and this ministry team are truly following a God given calling to help women connect through prayer! My roomies were sent to me for a divine reason. We have now started our own Prayer Sisters group which Kristen said "just seems like the next logical step for our divine friendship." I support Prayer Sisters International and I trust this ministry will bless you and change you!
With Love to Prayer Sisters,
AmyLyn
Story from Erica
I have so many wonderful things to say about Prayer Sisters, I don't know exactly where to start. I could start by saying that I found Prayer Sisters but the truth is Prayers Sisters found me.
I was so broken and bruised and thought, These awesome women really have it together. What could I possibly bring to this group besides heartache, disappointment and anger? I had prayed and asked God to bring more Christian women into my life. When Prayer Sisters found me I had just experienced the most difficult time of my life. However, if you were to meet me, I would have seemed to have it somewhat together. I had gotten really good at wearing my mask.
From the first PS meeting at Karla's house, the moment I walked in, I truly felt the Holy Spirit there. My heart silently cried, I am home and my broken, battered soul began to shine again. At this meeting I was told that they had been praying for me, praying that the empty chair at the table would someday be filled by me. I was astonished! My soul wept and cried out, "Wow! They have been praying for me? They don't even know me." There was an instant connection that day and I have been praying with my dear friends for about 7 months now. I think of Prayer Sisters like this, Prayer Sisters is where your mask comes off, you're able to exhale and just be you. Exhale all the negative thoughts, disappointments and hurts. Then inhale and be filled up with God's love, peace and direction for our lives. God says "If you draw close to me then I will draw close to you." Where two or more are gathered God is there. Since I have been a part of a PS group God has drawn closer to me. So much that I am now motivated in directions I never imagined. I long for other women to know the God I love.
I have always been a leader in the business realm. I don't know why but I never even thought of being a leader for Christ, my church, women's Bible study or even Prayer Sisters. Then before I realized it, I was leading my own PS group. Doubts did set in at first. My thoughts told me, You're too wounded, bruised and scarred to be a leader for Prayer Sisters. I understand now that God has brought me to this point to show that God needs us all, even little me, a gal from Texas. Prayer Sisters fill me up with a confidence I have never truly known before. A confidence based on the loving values and truth of God and not those set by the world. Happiness fades but joy is constant because joy comes from God. I understand this now. I have found not only joy but the power of regular prayer warriors and friends. In short, my prayer sisters lift me up.
I will end with the words I first spoke as a leader at my PS meeting.
"It's been said that faith may move mountains, but prayer moves God. Amazing, isn't it, that our prayers, whether grand and glorious or feeble and faint, can move the very heart of God who created the universe? To walk with God we must make it a practice to talk with God....Prayer moves God, and when God moves in your life, things get exciting!" (-Joni Eareckson Tada "Seeking God," Taken from Joy for the Journey, A Women's Book of Joyful Promises—A gift from my loving Prayer Sister, Marsha.)
This is what Prayer Sisters is about. Wow! Let's get ready for things to get exciting in OUR LIVES!
Luv,
Erica :)
Previously Featured
The following is an excerpt from an article originally published in:
P31 Woman (July 2005).
No Need to Be Alone
(not when you have Prayer Sisters™!)
by Kathleen Groom
It was a rather unexpected sight. Six ladies huddled around a bistro table for two. We held hands and bowed our heads, latte's and mocha's adorning our temporary altar. Normally our Prayer Sisters do not meet at Starbucks, but this was not a typical occasion. I was about to undergo a complete bone scan, searching for the dreaded invader of the human body — cancer.
A few days earlier, lower back pain prompted a visit to my doctor who immediately suspected something serious. Tests revealed a tumor engorging my ovary, as well as a suspicious dark spot on my spine. We feared ovarian cancer spreading to my bones.
My Prayer Sisters are friends I have been praying with for several years. We meet regularly to pray for our families and each other. Together we overcome one of our toughest enemies-loneliness.
Many women today feel alone, their busy lives void of caring relationships. Aware of a deep-rooted need for friendship, they relate to the words of the prophet in Ecclesiastes 4:10 "If one falls down, his friend can help him up, but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."
Often in an attempt to make friends women join a local church. Unfortunately, just simply "being together" at church does not cultivate the intimacy we crave. To develop real friendships, intentional steps must be taken.
"Walking life together is key to a Christian woman's spiritual growth," says Andrea Minor, Director of Women's Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. "I can't imagine my life without women praying with and for me." Our Prayer Sisters formed for just this purpose-to walk life together and help carry each other's burdens in prayer.
My Prayer Sisters and I pray for needs that we might hide in a different setting, unsure of the response our confessions may provoke. Trust in one another provides us freedom to confess our honest thoughts without the fear of rejection.
Not long ago, as my best friend lay in a coma, my faith appeared to be dying right along with her. I found it difficult to utter even the simplest prayers. Without condemnation, my Prayer Sisters rallied around me. Through their faithful friendship and prayers, God ministered healing to my ailing faith. He also healed my friend!
The day of my bone scan, my friends did not want me to face this frightening test alone. Although they could not be in the room during the scan, they could wait with me while radioactive chemicals wound their way through my veins in preparation.
We sipped coffee as I shared the grueling details of the preceding days. After laughing at the funny parts, and crying at the scary parts, we bowed our heads to pray. Our physical presence remained huddled at the little table, but our hearts sat together at the feet of Jesus, seeking his healing and peace.
Days later at the hospital as I faced surgery to remove my mutated ovary my Prayer Sisters waited and prayed with my family. Anxious hours passed until the long-awaited news arrived — "It's benign!" — and the waiting room erupted into a full-blown celebration.
I returned home with help ...meals, visits and lots of prayer. When one has Prayer Sisters, there is no need to be alone.
As I lay on my sofa recovering, I chuckled as one of my prayer buddies rushed to my door with Diet Pepsi and toilet paper.
"Well!" exclaimed my friend, "Don't think your needs won't be met. Not when you have Prayer Sisters!"
Her words reached deep into my heart, for she was right. My needs for friendship and prayer support are being met. And when you become a Prayer Sister, yours will, too!