Prayer Saved My Life

This month marks the eleventh year that I have had a prayer partner, Reverend Britt Hall.  It began on a cruise to Aruba calledTouching The Stillness with Reverend Paulette Pipe in February 2011.  We both were members of Unity of New York and attended this special trip as their annual Winter Retreat.

Back then, Britt was the Director of Music Ministry for Unity of New York and I do not recall exactly how our prayer partnership came to be, other than he asked me quite directly if I had a prayer partner.  When I responded no, he asked if I would like to be his?  I stood before him incredulous, partly skeptical of what I could possibly offer of value to this spiritual leader and mostly flattered that this minister would consider me to fill such an important role in his life.

I was just beginning to build my prayer practice when I said yes.  Because I have memory challenges, I set an alarm in my iPhone to help remind me to call him daily.  Even all these years later, I use the church bells of "Bell Tower" as my prayer alarm.  When I hear the chime at 10 AM, I know it is time to call Britt to "get our prayer on."

With a brain injury, I can sometimes become distracted or long-winded.  When this happens, Britt loving reminds me that both of our plates are quite full and he gently helps me refocus.  Rather than talking at length with chatty updates, we go right into prayer.  Our intention is to pray in the affirmative way as taught by Unity.  We rarely discuss the problem or circumstance.  We focus on knowing the truth that God is always present, no matter the situation or need.  In prayer, Britt and I know the truth for each other, especially at those times when we may have difficulty knowing it for ourselves. 

Our calls usually last from five to 15 minutes, although they can take longer when time allows.  Since we both have full calendars, maintaining flexibility is key to our success.  While devoted to our daily call time, we sometimes must rely on "divine timing" when one of us is unavailable at the assigned time.  It is because of our commitment that it always works out.

At times, Britt feels like a protective big brother, so I began to call him my big brother from another mother.  I also refer to my Prayer Partner as my PP, and I giggle whenever he says his PP is in the flow.  

I have become a strong advocate for brain injury awareness. Whether helping to establish legislation in Washington, D.C. or helping to build a strong community of brain injury survivors in the Asheville, NC area, my life clearly has a new direction. I have no doubt that my prayer partnership with Britt has been the most powerful aspect of my recovery. It has created a rock solid foundation in my life. Miracles continue to unfold on a daily basis, and I know the best is yet to come.