
During “joys and concerns” a church member asked for prayers for healing for her sister, also a member, who was sitting with her. The visiting minister asked if it was all right if we prayed specifically for her, and before we knew it, most of us were surrounding these two sisters as a prayer was offered.
Now let me tell you, my church is an incredibly caring community, and yet in all the fifteen years I’ve been a member, I can’t recall that we’ve done anything like this before; and I don’t think it will happened again in the near future. In fact, I’m not suggesting that it should. Some people would be put off by it, and many would refrain from requesting a prayer for fear of all the attention. And as we know, church cultures don’t change easily or quickly, nor should they, mine included. But at yesterday’s summer service, the visiting minister heard the Spirit and responded. A surprising moment.