Praying with those who are Homeless

She is standing near the door of the Lodestar Day Resource Center looking sad and very alone. Her eyes are empty of any liveliness. I greet her and introduce myself. She brightens. “I have been here for three weeks.” Her husband joins after a few minutes. They tell me they are from the Midwest. “We came here to see if my wife would feel better here.” She tells me she has a painful chronic illness. They tell me they have been married for three years. The husband explains their dilemma. “I began looking for work and learned I will make half of what I made in my previous jobs.” Reality is that Phoenix jobs do pay less and cost of living is not lower than the Midwest. I inquire about their faith. They share they have a home church back home. We continue to talk about their thoughts about trying to make it in Phoenix or returning to the Midwest. I offer to pray with them. They welcome the prayer. I meet them later in the day. Their faces are brighter; their steps a bit lighter. God is present with them; it needed some affirmation.