Jenny and I were walking to the park. On our way, we passed this older couple pushing a girl in a wheelchair. As we passed, I felt God’s compassion welling up within me, and I knew He was asking me to pray for them. My response was less than enthusiastic. Really God? The first person in a wheelchair that I see, and You tell me to pray for her. Isn’t there something more important than physical healing that I could pray for today? His response is still just as convicting (if not more) now as it was in the moment. I asked you to pray for THEM, not just her. And you really think that her physical healing is the only thing that they could possibly need prayer for? I conceded, but I still needed some convincing. I will pray for them if they’re actually going to the park. That’s how I’ll know for sure that this is what You’re asking.
As we walked by house after house, I kept glancing back, but they kept following us. Finally we got to the park. Jenny was talking, but I wasn’t paying any attention (sorry, Jenny) as I waited to see if they would indeed turn and walk through the gates into the park. Sure enough, they did. So I told Jenny about my “deal” that I’d made with God. We went to catch up with them, and I could tell that the man was bothered that we’d begun to follow them. When we asked if we could pray for them, he told us that they were Catholic and didn’t think that it was appropriate or right that we ask them that. He then asked us to quit following them, so we said okay and turned and walked away.
In a split second, my mind was flooded with all the seemingly-confirmed doubts and “why God”s that you could imagine. But then He told Jenny and I to pray for them anyway. So we did. We prayed that their hearts would be opened, that they would see God’s desire for a personal relationship, and how He’s available for us to pray to at any time or place. We asked for healing, not just physical, but emotional and spiritual and mental as well. And then we thanked God that He brought them and their needs to our attention, irregardless of how they received it.
I learned so much in this experience, but one thing that sticks out is the lesson to thank God for His care to call people to our attention, even if they refuse that attention. There was a purpose to God’s asking me to pray for them, and that’s all that I was responsible for. No response should shut down my willingness to pray on someone’s behalf.
So step out and do what He’s asking you to, and don’t let others shut you down in your obedience.
Always thank Him for revealing someone’s need to you, even if they say no to receiving it.
