The church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was alive with the murmur of expectation. Julie stood at the pulpit, a simple cross behind her. She began, her voice calm and clear.

“This town is special,” she said. “Portsmouth has history, beauty, and community. But like every place, it has struggles too. Families are hurting. People are searching. And some feel forgotten.”

The congregation listened closely.

Julie continued, “Prayer can change a town. It can heal hearts and lives. But it has to be real prayer. Not just words. Prayer with faith. The kind of faith that says, ‘Lord, I believe You will.’”

She paused, looking out at the crowd. “What did the Lord say when people asked Him to heal? Did He ever say, ‘I won’t’? No. Every time, He said, ‘I will. Be thou clean.’ That same answer is for us today.”

Nods spread through the room. Julie smiled. “If we pray like that, we’ll see Portsmouth change. Not just in here, but out there. Let’s pray together now for this town.”

Heads bowed, and her voice filled the room. “Lord, please, if it be Your will, heal this town. Bring hope and life. Help us believe You still say, ‘I will.’ Amen.”

Preparing to Go

The next evening, Julie stood before a smaller group in the church. She held her Bible in one hand and gestured with the other.

“Tonight, we’re going to learn how to bring prayer to the streets. People need to see God’s love, not just hear about it.”

A man raised his hand. “What if someone doesn’t want prayer?”

Julie nodded. “That’s okay. Be kind. Offer to listen. Sometimes love is enough to open a door. But remember, you’re not alone. The Holy Spirit is with you.”

Another woman asked, “What if we don’t see healing?”

Julie smiled. “That’s not your job. Our job is to pray and believe. God does the rest. Remember, faith isn’t about seeing first. It’s about trusting Him.”

She held up her Bible. “We have Scripture to stand on. Jesus never said, ‘I won’t.’ He said, ‘I will.’ Go with that confidence.”

Stories of Healing

The following night, Julie addressed the same group. This time, she shared stories.

“A woman in Boston had been in pain for years,” she began. “She came to one of our meetings, desperate for relief. We prayed, and her pain left immediately. She was shocked, but she believed.”

The room was silent, hanging on her words.

“In another town, a young boy had trouble walking. His parents brought him forward. We prayed, and he started running around the church. His father cried, ‘It’s a miracle!’ It was.”

She looked at the group, her voice steady. “These stories aren’t just for faraway places. They’re for Portsmouth too. Let’s believe together.”

Taking It to the Streets

Saturday morning, the group gathered downtown. Julie led them through Market Square, where shops and cafés bustled with life.

“Split into pairs,” she instructed. “Look for people who might need prayer. Be respectful. Be kind.”

She and a local volunteer approached a man sitting on a bench. His face looked tired. Julie smiled warmly. “Hi, we’re from a local church. Can we pray for you?”

The man hesitated but nodded. “Sure. My back’s been hurting for weeks.”

Julie placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Lord, we ask for healing. In Your name, we speak life and health. Amen.”

The man stretched cautiously, then smiled. “It’s better. Thank you.”

Stories and Encouragement

That evening, the group gathered back at the church. Julie stood at the front, her face glowing with joy.

“One of the men I prayed for today told me his pain was gone,” she shared. “He said, ‘I didn’t think anyone cared.’ That’s why we do this—not just for healing but to show love.”

She invited anyone needing prayer to come forward. A woman in her forties approached, tears in her eyes. “My son is sick,” she said. “Please pray for him.”

Julie laid a hand on her arm. “Lord, we lift this child to You. We believe You will heal. Bring peace to this family. Amen.”

Others followed, each receiving her gentle faith-filled prayers. By the end, the church was filled with hope.

As the night closed, Julie reminded them, “The Lord never says, ‘I won’t.’ Let’s live like we believe His promise: ‘I will.’”