“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people”—Ephesians 6:18 (CEV).
Waiting to checkout at the grocery store recently, I noticed an older woman—probably in her 80s—in line behind me. Leaning on her cart, she was nursing what I assumed was a broken wrist. She looked up to see me watching her. I smiled. She acknowledged mine with one of her own.
Lifting up her wrist, she said, “I did something silly for an old woman. I wasn’t paying attention and caught my foot on a loose brick. I stumbled, fell and landed on my right arm. It’s not broken, just severely cracked. I’m hoping to avoid surgery. Please pray for me.”
“I will,” I replied, acknowledging her request. After paying for my groceries, I gave her a hug.
Praying for Strangers
As I drove home, I thought about the woman I’d encountered. I don’t believe in coincidences. Somehow, she knew I was a praying woman. Maybe it was the cross I wear around my neck.
But, then, I remembered I’d forgotten to ask her name. However, I knew it didn’t matter. God knew. I knew.
During the rest of the day and through the next, when God brought her wrinkled, but serene face to mind, I lifted her up in prayer. That was on a Thursday and Friday. Saturday, I was busy and forgot.
A Reminder from God
On Sunday after church, I had lunch with a friend. Leaving the restaurant, I was ready to put my car in reverse, when I noticed a vehicle pull up and park behind me. At first, I was frustrated. Then I noticed the driver had walked around the car to open the passenger door.
“Patience,” I told myself. “It’s probably someone elderly or handicapped person the driver is dropping off before parking.”
As the passenger shuffled by my car window, I smiled. It was nothing more than a God-appointed encounter with the same woman I’d met at the grocery store three days earlier.
Encountering the Living God
Pushing the button to lower my window, I grabbed her attention with the words, “Do you remember me?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Are you still praying for me?”
“Yes, I am,” I said, “but I forgot to ask your name.”
“It’s Lillie.”
“That was my grandmother’s name,” I exclaimed.
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SOURCE: Assist News
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