Prayer Warriors With Invisible Scars (PWIS) marked its fifth annual event on August 1 at URC Church in Kwa-Thema by bringing together community members for a day focused on healing, restoration and emotional support.

Held under the theme ‘Your Life Can Rise Again’, the event created a safe space for people affected by grief, loss, anxiety and depression to share their experiences, receive prayer and find encouragement.

Nobanda Sibande Lekwane told the African Reporter that the purpose of the annual gathering was to remind people that they are not alone in their struggles.

“The purpose was to bring hope and healing to people affected by grief, loss, anxiety and depression.

“We wanted to create a safe space where people can share, be prayed for, and be reminded that they are not alone. This year marked five years of saying to our community, ‘We see you. Take one step at a time,’” she said.

Unlike many support initiatives that are often attended mainly by women, the event welcomed both men and women.

“Healing has no gender. Both men and women carry invisible scars from loss and pain, but often suffer in silence.

“It was important to invite both so we can break the silence together, support one another, and learn that it is okay to talk, to cry, to pray and to heal together as a community,” shared Lekwane.

According to the founder, the programme featured personal testimonies, psychological health discussions, spiritual motivation and the ministry of the Word of God.

Key topics included ‘Rebuilding the Mind to Reclaim Who You Are and Your Life Can Rise Again’ alongside discussions on coping with grief, anxiety and depression through faith and community support.

Lekwane said the psychological and spiritual sessions formed the heart of the event. She explained that the psychological talk focused on rebuilding the mind to reclaim who you are, helping people understand their emotions and take back their identity after loss.

She added that the spiritual motivation reminded everyone that with God there is hope, restoration and a new beginning even after deep pain.

According to Lekwane, the response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they felt seen, heard and comforted.

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Some shared that it was the first time they had spoken openly about their pain in years, while others said the sessions gave them renewed strength and hope.

She believes the annual gathering is helping to break the stigma surrounding grief, anxiety and depression by encouraging honest conversations in a faith-based environment.

“When people hear testimonies and see others being vulnerable, it removes shame. The event shows that grief, anxiety and depression are not signs of weakness.

“They are part of being human, and healing is possible with support, prayer and community,” said Lekwane.

Since its launch in 2022 as part of Lekwane’s personal healing journey, PWIS has grown from a small prayer gathering into an annual event that combines professional mental wellness talks with spiritual encouragement.

Looking ahead, Lekwane said the organisation hopes to reach even more people by partnering with undertakers and funeral parlours to refer grieving families to its support groups.

The founder indicated that the organisation also plans to expand its healing hikes and monthly support groups to ensure people continue receiving support throughout the year.