Chris' prayer: Michael W. Smith's "I Will Be Your Friend"

But all these moments unite us

Just over a year ago, I sent out emails to around 50 different people, offering them the opportunity to accomplish one of my life's dreams with me. That dream: a multi-day whitewater rafting trip. The experience was one that I was prepared to complete alone, and actually one that I expected to do alone, but three of my friends accepted the invitation, accepted the challenge, and joined me for a five-day trip down the Arkansas River in Colorado.

It was an extremely important event for me personally, as it was one that I had wanted to do for a very long time. But more memorable than actually accomplishing the goal of paddling through Class 5 rapids, what I enjoyed most was having a group of people to share that experience with. Those who went with me I wouldn't say are the three closest people to me in the world, but we now have something that we will always share, something that will forever connect us.

Moments really do unite us.

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Megan's prayer: Michael W. Smith's "I Will Be Your Friend"

I'll be your friend for a lifetime

For me, a "lifetime" so far has only been 20 years. And in these 20 years, my group of friends has changed drastically. I no longer talk much with my "best friends" from grade school. Even during just 4 years at high school, my groups of friends changed multiple times.

While I still love each of my friends, all of the current ones, and the past ones, none of them have been there for my lifetime. Jesus has been there for me, though. He has been there when friends change. He has been there during the hard times, and especially during the good times. I can rely on him. I can trust him. He is an amazing friend.

Marie's Prayer: Michael W. Smith's "I Will Be Your Friend"

I'm saying I will be your friend

Saying doesn't always mean doing. No matter what you say, or how much you promise, words are only words. If you put meaning to these words and actually act like a friend, that's what counts. You can't just be a friend in name, that doesn't work. Also, friendships shouldn't just be convenient to you. A true friend is someone who will stop whatever they're doing to help you when you really need it. A true friend knows you're sad even if you say everything's alright. That's what I want to be. I don't want to be a friend in name, I want to be a friend in truth. And who better to look up to than God? He's the Ultimate Friend, He leads by example and hopes that one day the world will catch on. So I'm taking the hint and will never just say that I'm a friend.

Catie's prayer: Michael W. Smith's "I Will Be Your Friend"

Wont walk away in the hard times
I will be your friend

This is probably one of my favorite things about God. He isn't going to leave when the going gets tough. He is going to be there in your storm, helping throughout it. While storms are sometimes the test of how close a relationship really is, that is not the case with God. While other friends might leave when it's hard, leave when it's just not fun and games anymore, God doesn't. God is with us and carries us through our hard times however it is up to us to recognize that.