The Best She Speaks Moment

If you asked me what my favorite She Speaks 2008 moment was, I'd have to say praying for Wendy. And it almost didn't happen.

On Saturday evening during the main session, I was meeting with my publisher for my book "God's Purpose for Every Woman." We didn't intend to meet during the session, but her schedule was running late so it turned out that way. After a terrific time talking in the restaurant over some hot spinach and artichoke dip, it felt very late to me as I rode with her in the elevator up to the floor where she was retiring for the evening.

I was ready to chill alone in my own room for the first time all day when I noticed it was only a little after 9:oo PM. I checked my schedule and saw the main session was still going on. Caught up in enjoyable conversation, I'd forgotten about it - and I was suppose to be up front at the cross to pray with the women.

After a moment of consideration, I hustled to the ballroom. As I carefully entered the back of the dim room, I could see P31 team members had gone up front minutes before, as planned, and women were starting to come forward to the crosses. Multiple team members were already at each of the crosses. Plus, I'd missed the message and wasn't quite feeling "in the groove" of what was happening, so I thought briefly about sitting this one out.

But I knew I'd been specifically assigned to be at one of the crosses and I'm not one to shirk my assignments. I couldn't remember which cross I was to go to, so I just headed to one. I prayed with several women while there, and it was truly my honor and blessing to do so. I was very glad at that point that I'd come.

Next, a woman came to me from the other side of the room and asked if I was Rachel. I indicated yes. She hardly got a few words out before she was overcome with tears. I'm going to let her tell you the rest of the story of what God did for her. Pop over to her blog here to read the rest of the story from her perspective. Please do that before you finish reading my post.


Reading Wendy's post moves my heart. But I don't want you to walk away from this post thinking, "That Rachel is so super spiritual. When she prayed, major things happened." Because it's not about me at all. When Wendy told me she felt God telling her to have me pray for her, I honestly didn't understand why. She doesn't remember exactly what I prayed (I did pray for a long time), but I remember what my first words were: "Lord, I don't know why it's important that I be the one to pray for Wendy but You do. So give me the words, and have Your way." I just went on from there.

My point is, God often creates "divine appointments" for us and we just have to be sensitive to His leading and willing to go along when He calls. Living under the power of the Holy Spirit is an adventure like no other.

For some reason, I was allowed to stand in the middle of this encounter with Wendy and the God who loves her. I got to see how obedient hearts, surrendered to Him, bring about great breakthroughs. I got to experience God lifting her up, and feel the moment that strongholds were broken and God reigned down over her. And I'm grateful.

Maybe Wendy is the unknown-to-me-at-the-time reason that I fasted the week before. Or maybe God allowed me to be the one to witness this encounter just to encourage me. Or perhaps, it was so that I could encourage you today with her story. I don't know all the reasons or repercussions, but I know that I'm grateful to have stood in that moment in eternity, praying for a sister in Christ.

So that's why this moment - despite all the fun moments I had, despite all the well-known people I met, despite all the talented speakers I heard, and despite all the influential publishers I talked with - was my absolute favorite She Speaks moment of 2008.