Have you experienced a crisis or tragedy that knocked you to your knees without words to pray? Have you desperately needed Jesus but felt like you couldn’t get to him on your own? I have. 

My husband, James, and I were in a crippling crisis a few years ago. News from a child rocked our world and wrecked our hearts. Overwhelmed by fear and grief, we imagined their challenging future and our immediate disqualification from ways we delight in serving our church. We were convinced we’d be fired as a deacon couple and as life group teachers to the most treasured young couples and families. I was convinced my ministry to women was over. 

Prayer is one of my favorite teaching topics, and I felt helpless to get to Jesus. The shock and aftershocks knocked the words from my lungs. Have you experienced something similar? Like the paralytic in Mark 2:1-5, do you need faithful friends to carry you to Jesus?

Speaking of Jesus, Mark writes:

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus Responds to Faith

Here’s a man who’s powerless to walk himself to Jesus, so his friends carry him in faith. Jesus responds because Jesus responds to faith. The paralytic receives what Jesus knows he needs most—the forgiveness of sins—and then a few verses later, he receives healing. 

Jesus says to him,

“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:11-12, ESV).

We may not need physical healing. Maybe it’s emotional, spiritual, relational, professional, or parental. We have faith but not mobility. In our fear, hurt, or heartache, we crave believing buddies who will carry us, too.

Friends Carry Friends

I call these people my four-corner warriors: 9-1-1 friends I can text or call anytime, and they will carry me to Jesus in prayer.

When our kids transitioned through challenging stages (name one; they can all be tricky!), I often felt powerless to navigate the inevitable landmines buried in unfamiliar parental territory. Three fellow moms faced similar struggles once, so we formed a four-corner prayer group. These weren’t my closest friends then, and it felt risky to share the idea and extend the invitation, but I’m so glad I did. Jesus saw our faith for each other. He answered and still answers our prayers for each other’s children. We experienced the formidable force of four faithful friends covering the corners of our mama mats, and these women are now among my closest friends.

Maybe you can’t think of three friends to invite into the vulnerable place of your prayer needs. Start with one. I’m thankful that just one warrior drags me to Jesus by a corner of my mat!

Maybe you aren’t gripped in crisis paralysis right now. Praise God! Can you cover the corner of someone who is?

Warriors Cover Corners

As you consider the opportunity, here are four corners to cover as a four-corner warrior:

1. Be available and transparent.

This requires responsibility and risk. To be available, I must prioritize honesty and intimacy with Jesus and others, lay down sins that weigh me down and hinder my walk with Jesus, and prioritize margin so my days have space for interruptions.

2. Be trustworthy and faithful. 

Confidentiality creates safety. Be someone who hears but doesn’t tell, not even your best friend or husband, not even as a prayer request. Consistent faithfulness cultivates trustworthiness when someone learns by experience that you’re there for them. 

3. Be in the Word and be expectant.

Let the Word of God give you words to pray. Let his promises feed your faith to see him respond unexpectedly and assuredly. 

4. Be amazed as you witness Jesus’ answers.

Watch and be amazed by Jesus, and then tell others what you’ve seen Jesus do in your life and in the lives of those you prayed for.

Carrying each other to Jesus in prayer is a life-changing privilege of faith. Jesus sees faith and responds. Jesus sees faith and forgives. Jesus sees faith and heals. Jesus sees faith and amazes us to the glory of God because faithful prayer produces powerful testimonies.