Together

At Evensong tonight, I had some really good discussions with a friend. We talked about a number of things, but among them was one I thought I'd share.

We were talking and I said something along these lines:
"You know how if you and I were to go to a professor and ask if we could do an assignment together, we'd be going TOGETHER to bring our request to the professor? I feel like there are those special few people when you pray.
Usually when you're praying with others, it's like you're all just sitting in a group, all happening to be before God at the same time... but then there are those few. Those few with whom you come before God together. Those people with whom you are united in prayer. When you pray with them, you are members of one body."
We continued to talk about it and discuss it a bit more.

We discussed how we want more of that. We discussed the boundaries that have to be laid out (guy/girl intimacy issues, etc.). We also discussed how this could potentially happen in groups, not only in pairs.

But why are there not more times or people with whom we come together before God? When we pray together, we may be praying for your prayer requests, or we may be praying for mine. But we are doing so together. We didn't just happen into God's throne room at the same time. We came together, united in Christ.

I can think very specifically of one such friend in my life. Prayer with her is different. It's deep and meaningful. I can tell when I haven't prayed with her lately - when we haven't gone together before God our Father. She is a mentor, a peer, a leader, an example, and a friend. I thank God for her so often. She has helped me learn what it is to truly "do life" with a sister in Christ.

May we find more friends with whom we can connect on a deeper level. May you experience going together with a friend before our God. You'll know when you do. You'll know it's different.

"You think about that."