Praying for Strangers in a Small, South Carolina Town

Have you ever just given a day to God? Allowed Him to work through you as He pleased? Listened for Him to whisper how He'd like you to pray? I did that on Friday, November 3, 2006 while visiting my daughter's college town of Newberry, SC. Through the inspiration of a young friend, I determined to chronicle how God moved me to pray and interact with people for a day. Pretty simple, huh? Between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, here's a few of my encounters:

• Quality Inn. My first "random person" encounter was with the front desk clerk at the Quality Inn, the motel we were staying at. Prayed for her silently while we spoke briefly on a good place to get breakfast.
• Ronnie's Restaurant for breakfast. The waitress seemed tired, harried. Help this weary waitress, Lord. Give her Your strength.
• Wal-Mart - Young girl at the hiring kiosk. As I walked past her, I noticed how she seemed to be having trouble filling out a job application. Someone was trying to assist her. Help her, God. Help her to fill out the application and to have a confidence that gives her the job she desires.
• Wal-Mart -- just seconds after praying for the young girl... spotted a bored looking young man at the insurance counter. Give him a reason to live, God. Give him Your life and help him to find satisfaction in You.
• In the car now, driving. Spotted an old woman in a pickup truck. She looks like someone's grandma, God. Show this 'grandma' Your love. Help her to know that she is loved by You...and make her children call her and tell her that she's loved.
• At an Embroidery Shop - Owner seemed exasperated as she describes running her newly started business. I hear the sound of kids laughing from the back. Father, help this woman to balance her time as a new shop owner and her responsibilities as a mother.
• Still in the embroidery shop... I meet the owner of a nearby Bed and Breakfast. She begins to tell my wife, and I, about her place. God, I caught the mention of her husband dying. This woman has been widowed. I sense loneliness in her. Be her comfort, God. Be a friend to her.
• Antique store #1 - a woman from Newport Richie. She's full of life, excited about her recent move and new life in SC. God, be The One that IS life for her. May she find Your ways and Your truth to be all that she needs.
• Antique store #2 - a nervous, leather-jacketed man. I'm not exactly sure what to think of him, Lord. He seems somewhat uncomfortable, but he's still friendly. Does he struggle with some hidden pain? Be his guardian, his peace. Provide for his needs.
• Gift store - A young woman (I'll call her Lisa) welcomes us to her store. While my wife shops, I get to talking to her, about life in Newberry. There is an easy communication with her. I poll my connection with God: What do You want me to say to her, Father?

  We hit on the topic of 'listening'. With that, her interest intensified. A look, comes over her countenance. Suddenly, I'm sharing what God has done in my life, and her interest doesn't wane, rather she shows genuine awareness in what God has been doing with me.

  "You seem to lead an interesting life," Lisa says.

  I share my website address. God, reach out to her in Your mercy. Show her how much You love her. Reveal Your Son to her, God.

• Book store. After lunch, in search of a rare book, I duck into a nearby bookstore and am met by a friendly worker named Kiera. I'm instantly reminded of someone I know. Father, I'm thinking about a young lady back in Palm Bay. I haven't seen her since graduation last May. Meet her known and unknown needs, God... draw her to Yourself...
• Coffee Shop. Back downtown... coffee time! We walk into a local coffee shop, except there's more than just coffee here. There is a stage -- there are guitars! About five of them! I could barely contain myself and received a gracious response to my question of "can I play one of your guitars?"
  Father, be with this person who so easily shares their guitars. Bless her business with success and Your joy.

Remember my encounter with 'Lisa'? Well, it's near the end of the day and my wife and I happen to just be standing outside her Gift Shop again. I'd told Lisa about the drawing talents God has blessed me with. I have copies of those drawings sitting right in my car... Go show her, God whispers. So I did. And as I shared my drawings and spoke of the individuals drawn, there was a connection, and talk of God's goodness flowed easily; freely...

And isn't this what it's all about? Isn't this what being a disciple of Christ means? That we're real. That we don't hide behind masks? That we testify of His goodness everywhere we go? That we simply relax and pray and be who God made us to be?

Have you ever approached a day like this? Think you want to try? Go for it, and enjoy the surprises that God brings along your way!