(Praise and worship during our drive to Hyattsville, Maryland on November 15, 2025.)

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:1-2, NIV)

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:1-2, NIV)

I am in awe of God for many reasons—how He brings things full circle, how His timing is perfect, how He knows exactly what He is doing. Before planning our weekly intercessory prayer outreaches, even in deciding on the location, we always yield to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to lead us. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (NIV). There is an encouraging balance between our planning and God’s divine guidance and providence. Since we began the weekly prayer outreaches this fall, God has shown us time and again His ability to lead us and bring everything together so well. Why would we ever doubt Him!

The aforementioned verses from Matthew 8 and 9 underpin our November 15th Gathered in His Name intercessory prayer and outreach. For this outreach, we planned to go to those who had requested us to come and pray for them. For this outreach it was three of us: Andrea, Jasbleidy and me. This particular outreach began taking shape during our November 8th outreach. While we were out, I received a text from a woman we have been praying for since meeting her during our October 18th intercessory prayer outreach facilitated at the Wheaton Regional Park. The park hosted a “The Park Goes Pink” event in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was our intent to pray for those who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, were breast cancer survivors, or were supporting a family member or friend going through breast cancer. It was there that we met *Lisa and she shared with us that she had a major decision to make given a recent breast cancer diagnosis. She was told by her doctors that she would need to have a mastectomy and that she needed to decide rather quickly on how she wanted to proceed. She received her diagnosis in September and was understandably processing the diagnosis, the information she received and grappling with this new reality of how her life would change. We prayed with her then in the park for God’s direction, clarity and peace in her decision making. I later texted her to ask how she was doing though I hadn’t heard back from her until our November 8th outreach when she replied and welcomed us coming to pray for her. Immediately, we agreed to go to her and others who desired prayer. Lisa and her two daughters live at least 30 minutes from us in Hyattsville, Maryland though distance was not an issue for us. Moved by our compassion for Lisa (and Jesus’ love for Lisa) and her daughters who she had just informed of her diagnosis and upcoming procedure, she would be our first stop of three visits that day. The three visits that day included another woman—a colleague of Andrea’s—who was also going to be undergoing a mastectomy. Both women would be meeting with their plastic surgeons to discuss the best possible approaches to their breast reconstruction post-surgery.

In preparing for our visits, for each woman, Andrea purchased a bouquet of pink roses and a card for us to write an encouraging message. What we did not know upon arrival at Lisa’s home was that it was her birthday! Wow! We gave her the roses and card at which she told us that it was her birthday. Look at God!! Her oldest daughter had made a care package for her as well which made her feel especially loved and appreciated. 😊

The additional blessing during our visit with Lisa was that Andrea was able to provide real context, encouragement and understanding having completed her chemotherapy, lumpectomy and radiation for breast cancer as of October 10. The context and encouragement that Andrea brought to the conversation as a breast cancer survivor gave Lisa a real hope that wasn’t trite or contrived. While we know everyone’s situation is different, Lisa could look at Andrea who had come through this journey availed by many prayers, faith and God’s great faithfulness—and the gift of advancements in cancer treatments. Hope was present!

Incidentally, we learned that the instrument used in identifying Lisa’s type of breast cancer is one made by Leica, the company that Andrea works for (Andrea is a scientist/immunologist). Wow! We all smiled seeing another one of God’s fingerprints on this divine appointment with Lisa indicating that He was indeed with us.

As tears, smiles and hugs were exchanged among us, it was a blessing to pray for Lisa and her daughters. We thanked her for inviting us into her situation and home, for trusting us with this and to pray for her.

Our next visit was back at the Bethesdan Hotel lobby where we met with *Amanda who would be meeting with her plastic surgeon this coming week to discuss her breast reconstruction after she has a mastectomy before the year’s end. Amanda is also a scientist soon to retire who has labored many years in disease treatment and has appreciated persisting in that work with others—and knowing that lives would be improved by those important breakthroughs. It was a blessing to pray for Amanda—to give her comfort and reassurance of God’s love for her.

Our last visit was also in Bethesda with a church member whose salvation in Jesus Christ of just two years ago—has her engaged as a strong witness and instrument of the Lord, particularly to her family. Through her bold witness and significant transformation from her previous lifestyle, several members of her family have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Praise God!! Her witness as a sold-out follower of Jesus Christ has brought many victories as well as unrelenting spiritual attacks by Satan, particularly on her marriage as she prays for the salvation of her husband. We ministered to and prayed for her, believing that even though Satan is attacking in hopes to wear her down and pull her away from Jesus, God is using the attacks to refine and strengthen her.

Praising and worshipping the Lord to “I Just Want to Praise You” by gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark, on our way to Hyattsville, MD to pray with Lisa on November 15, 2025.

Enjoying our drive to Hyattsville, MD while singing along to “I Am Healed” by gospel singer Donald Lawrence.

The drive to our first visit began with praise and worship in the car (See videos) and ended with us praising God for once again faithfully leading and directing us and showing how He was with us. This particular outreach was a ministry of presence—of going to and being present with those desiring prayer.

Is there something that God is calling you to do that you are unsure how to proceed? I hope so! Say, “Yes! Here I am, Lord. Send me.” He will direct your steps!

-Nicole

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.