For two solid minutes during President Trump's address to Congress, the room erupted with gratitude for Navy SEAL widow Carryn Owens whose husband Ryan was killed this year during a raid in Yemen.

The still-grieving widow wept as the applause resounded through Capitol Hill, over and over again.

President Trump made it a priority to honor their sacrifice, pointing to a verse from John 15:13.

"For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater active love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom," the President said.

But there's even more to this story.

Before Ryan Owens was killed in that raid, God was at work.

Pastor Dan Backens of New Life Church in Virginia Beach told his congregation he knows a neighbor of the Owens' who says before the tragedy God had put it on her heart to meet Carryn, and they had started to become friends.

"(She) didn't know that was gonna happen. God did," Backens says in a sermon posted to Facebook. (Screengrab via CBN News)

He says this neighbor's actions show us why it's so important to obey God by loving those around us.

"Here's a mother with children and a busy life, and she says, 'Ok, I'm gonna start loving a neighbor intentionally.' So she built a bridge with her. Lo and behold, now this woman is a widow, but she has a friend now, and this friend has a church," Backens says.

His sermon reminds Christians, you never know how God wants to use you when you step out to reach others with the love of Christ, but He always has a plan.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'The Story of Everything'

'This Is a Turning Point': Iranian Christians Using time of War to Share the Gospel

Special Report: 634 Left vs. 41 Right: While Trump Fights Iran, Big Four News Apps Attack Trump

DOJ Launches Probe into Illinois Schools Over Gender Ideology Taught Without Parental Notice

Supreme Court Steps in, Pauses Federal Court Block on Abortion Pills by Mail Nationwide, Reinstates Biden Rule Temporarily

Prayer Alert: Shooting at Lake Near Oklahoma City Sends at Least 12 People to Hospitals

Pentagon to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany amid Rising Tensions

'Not Leaving Right Now': Trump Says US to Guide Ships Through Hormuz Strait Despite Iran Warning

Prayer Alert: Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical, But Stable Condition

Supreme Court Rules for Pro-Life Centers: 'The Government Has No Business Harassing Pro-Life Ministries'

President Trump Signs Executive Order Expanding High-Quality Retirement Accounts for Millions of Americans (VIDEO)

Worldwide Implications of the UAE's OPEC Exit

Democrat Activist Texas Judge Rules State Agency Must Greenlight 400-Acre Islamic City Near Dallas

New Footage of Trump Assassination Attempt Released. Here's What It Shows [Video]

MAHA Victory on Capitol Hill as GOP Agrees to Drop Special Pesticide Protections

DOJ Report Reveals Biden Admin's Expansive Religious Liberty Violations and Hostility to American Christians

SPLC's Indictment Prompts Loss of Donations from Vanguard, Fidelity Charitable Programs

President Trump Signs Bill to Fund DHS, Ending the Democrat Shutdown

Evidence Young People Are Turning to Christianity Isn’t Anecdotal; It’s Real

100 Missionaries Deploy to 10/40 Window amid Increasing Reports of Visions of 'The Man in White'