For those facing uncertainty over the government shutdown and the economy, some answered prayers came during Sunday service at Concord Church in Dallas.
Toward the end of the service, Senior Pastor Bryan Carter invited those furloughed and unemployed to the front for prayer and a surprise.
He announced that 200 people would be going home with a $2,000 check.
Carter told the congregation the church had identified those affected by the government shutdown or layoffs through prayer requests.
“It’s so many hurts and so many needs, so to see people come forward and they had no idea this was happening,” Carter said.
Kaylon Curry said the announcement made her emotional. As a government employee, she’s been working for weeks without pay.
“I have been employed with the government for 41 years and I’ve been through several furloughs, but I think this is the worst one ever,” Curry said.
Camesha Alao just began attending Concord Church with her daughter. The gift was an answered prayer for her.
“I was facing eviction. I actually have court Tuesday and the money from this is going to pay my eviction off, so I’m not going to be evicted,” Alao said. “I just want to thank them for being obedient to God and blessing me and my family and the community as a whole.”
Carter said initially the church was going to give recipients $1,000 until some donors came forward to double the donation.
“It’s a real testimony about the generosity of God’s people, but it’s also a testimony about how our faith works,” said Pastor Carter. “There are moments where, yes, we want to pray, but there are also moments where we get to be the answer to the prayer and show up for people.”