MY HUSBAND AND I had driven to Texas to reunite with a couple we had known for many years. We stayed with them for several days and were introduced to their family members and friends who lived in the same town. There was a bond of love uniting this family that went way beyond the ordinary.

They cooked and ate their meals together. They shared the upbringing of their children and grandchildren. In gentle, unobtrusive ways, they imparted the values and discipline that strengthened relationships among the generations. Love filled the gap that might otherwise have existed between young and old.

Our visit proved to be more than just the wonderful getting together we had expected it to be. It became almost a baptismal experience. We felt as if we had been dipped headfirst into a river—even, an ocean—of love.

When the time came to leave, we all stood on the front porch, saying the usual thanks and goodbyes. To be honest, that was a wrenching experience after the extraordinary bond of love we all had felt.

Bill was one of the new family members we had met. He stopped us as we started down the stairs. "C'mon," he said, waving us all to come together in a circle right there in the middle of the porch. "C'mon, let's come together." Following his direction we joined arms.

And then Bill did something that surprised us all. Right there in the middle of the porch, after asking us to bow our heads, he prayed aloud. He didn't pray with prepared words or in any showy way. It was yet another act of love, totally spontaneous and without affectation—the kind of thing that melts hearts, stirring them so all the good comes to the surface and solidifies relationships.

He thanked God for bringing us there to be with them. He asked God to guide us safely home. And the last thing he said was, "Lord, please keep the deer where they belong."

We parted from this sweet company and got into our car, waving goodbye one more time. As we slowly drove off, I sat in stunned silence. I don't know if I had ever before witnessed such a charitable kindness, such a fine example of loving your neighbor as yourself. Their example reminded me of words from the Bible: "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also" (I John 4:21).

I was grateful for Bill's prayer. We didn't hit any deer, although we passed by a car that apparently had hit one only a short time before we passed by. I was grateful to see that at least no one in the car was hurt. In response to the scene, I prayed by recognizing God's care and guidance going out to all of creation.

As we drew closer to home, we hit a long stretch of interstate where many multiple car and truck accidents had taken place, owing to icy and snowy weather conditions. We became concerned and began praying for our own safety and the safety of everyone on the road. Our son called our cell phone to tell us that people were being warned not to drive on I-44 because of severe road conditions. My husband was anxious to get home and wanted to keep on driving that night. Although the situation was fearsome to me, we did drive a bit farther until a thought came clearly to both of us simultaneously—and I can only call it an "angel" message—to find shelter for the night.

Although many people were in the same situation, we found a motel room immediately. By this time it was ten o'clock at night, and I let out a big sigh of relief that we hadn't stubbornly plodded on our way in spite of the warnings.

The next day was a whole new story. The sun was shining, and the roads were almost totally clear. We sailed on home, grateful we had listened to that intuition, grateful for the way in which an inner voice had silenced the willful desire to make it home that night "come hell or high water."

I felt instinctively that that family's prayer on the porch for our safety had been effective. I'll never forget those words Bill used as he waved us all to join in a circle of friendship: "C'mon, let's come together. Let's bow our heads and pray for one another."

What if that charitable spirit were practiced universally? Wouldn't it unite people of every race and color? Those who love God, naturally love one another. We all belong to God's family—an inclusive family that is above and beyond the human prejudices that sometimes pass from generation to generation.

So come, let's bow our heads and pray for one another. My heart tells me that these prayers will bring out the fineness, the goodness, and the purity that are inherent in all of God's creation. What else has the power to lift humanity out of the malaise of senseless acts of terror and hate?

It is natural to love each other. God wraps each of us in His arms of Love. His love shining everywhere keeps us safe. Spread the word.