The Power of Prayer across the Waters

Dear Sisters,

Yesterday was Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer. I have never participated in this event before so I decided to have a prayer service this past Sunday evening on the eve of this event. What a special and powerful evening. I hosted the event at my church and about 18 women attended, mostly from other churches. The youngest attending was thirteen and the oldest was in her nineties.

I had women pray for specific prayer requests from our Baptist Sisters around the world. An Asian Sister and friend prayed in chinese for our Asian Sisters. I set-up a prayer walk in my church sanctuary, one station for each of the 7 Baptist Women's Unions, and as music played in the background, we walked around the sanctuary praying for our sisters. We created a paper prayer chain with our prayer requests that we held at the end of the service when we closed in a prayer circle. I was so moved praying with my sisters but also to know as we were praying for Baptist women around the world, they were also praying for us. I realized that prayer not only connects me to Christ but it also connects me with women around the world that I do not even know but we are bonded through the love of Christ.

As I prayed for our Sister Unions, many of them had the issue of human trafficking on their prayer list - a horrible and violent issue that bonds us in sisterhood as we work together to break the chains of human trafficking one link at a time. Another issue that was similar to our concerns was women and children in poverty. It's clear that no matter where we live in this world there is always a need and Christian women unite to answer God's call to assist those in need wherever they call home.

I want to continue to feel the connection of women praying for women so I have decided that every Sunday evening at 9:00 pm - wherever I may be - I will be praying for my American Baptist Sisters around the country, for our Region Presidents and Officers and for our National Board and Staff. I invite you to pray with me during that time also and feel God's presence but also know that I am praying for you - Women.... Destined for God's Purpose.

Your Sister in Christ,

Barbara