Early one December morning, I was down on the beach just before low tide, and I noticed something written in the wet sand, just above the tide line. It was a prayer that read, “Jesus, please, please fix our marriage.” I looked up and down the beach to see if I could identify the person who had written it, but no one was in sight. So, I found myself praying anyway for the person who wrote it, and praying for his or her marriage.

I guess we'll never know how Jesus answered this prayer. But, through the prayer, I felt deeply connected to two lives I'll probably never meet. 

I believe in the power of prayer, and in the power of asking others to pray for us. It binds us closer to one another and to God. Today, maybe you have a request you need to write in the sand. Or, better yet, ask a friend to pray for you, because then, however, God answers the prayer, you will know you are not alone. 

Let us pray: Today, Loving God, we lift up to you the person or people who wrote their prayer in the sand that warm December morning. And for all who are struggling in their marriages, we ask for healing, forgiveness, and grace upon grace. Others, Lord, are carrying burdens and feel as though they are at their wit's end – just about beyond their ability to cope. Give them the strength they need to reach out for help – to you, and to others. May they know they are not alone. May we know we are not alone. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.