NCA’s Senior class organized and led an overnight prayer vigil last weekend.  Approximately 30 students from every class came to pray and worship starting at 8 PM on Friday, January 30 through to 5:00 the next morning.  Along with Mathematics teacher, Christen Byrd '04, the group was chaperoned by NCA alumni, Grant Wege '04, Stephen Byrd '07, and Andrew Tripp '03.

Students had the opportunity to pray and worship for an indefinite period of time and this also led to deep spiritual discussions later on.  At the beginning of the vigil, the students wanted to pray first for those participating that night. Two students had requested prayer for healing and release from pain from injuries they had suffered. The group split into two smaller groups:  the girls laid hands on Rachel Bohanan; the boys prayed for Josh Keck.

What happened next...

• Rachel Bohanan, a Junior, had recently been told by her doctor that she would need surgery to repair her shoulder. This was discouraging news for the avid softball player who is working hard to get a college softball scholarship.  Rachel had decided to play through the intense pain until August when she would have the surgery.  After the girls prayed for her, Rachel left the room and did 12 push-ups in the hall instead of the usual 3-5 she could manage before the pain would stop her. On Sunday, she played two softball games without experiencing the usual pain. Rachel also noted that this experience has already given her an opportunity to share the reality of God with a seeking friend.

• Joshua Keck, a Senior, broke his back in a car accident in February 2009 and continued to live with back pain.  While the guys were praying over him, he said the pain actually got worse to the point where it hurt as much as it had when he had broken it.  But when he went to get up, he felt something happen in his back and the pain started to subside.  Usually Josh is worse pain on Monday mornings after working on the weekend.  However, this Monday he told Miss Byrd he did not have any pain despite having worked over the weekend.

That's why the students want to do this again,

because God is real and He shows up to meet with us.

As Christen noted "I am really excited about the testimonies, but I am especially excited that God is helping us all to be refreshed in our understanding of Who He is... in His great love and kindness toward us.  Even as He heals our bodies, He is also healing our hearts to receive His incredible love. That's why the students want to do this again, because God is real and He shows up to meet with us. I believe that this is a message that God wants all of us to be encouraged with right now."

This time of prayer had such an impact on the students who attended that another prayer vigil is being planned for the first Friday of March.  As one student put it, “it wasn’t just that it was exciting, because there were moments of seriousness where you realized what the excitement was all about.”