The following devotion was written by one of our new prayer partners, Kathleen Hawkinson. She is an organist/piantist & writer from Lodi, California. muzikmakin@aol.com
GOD'S NUDGE TO PRAY WITH A STRANGER
By Kathleen L. Hawkinson
My husband and I settled in our RV for an annual spring vacation at a tiny Monterey Bay campground.
This particular year, an extended family occupied three campsites around us. We were drawn by their laughter as they transported
food back and forth through our campsite.
On the second evening, I noticed the absence of the older gentleman camped next to us. Instead
of laughter, tears now flowed among the family. I took the opportunity to speak to his wife and asked, "What happened?"
The lovely older lady responded, "Before we left, my husband received his usual physical. The
doctor found something suspicious, so he had additional tests performed. The doctor encouraged us to take this vacation. When
the test results arrived, we had already left on this trip. The doctor contacted our oldest son, who came here and drove his
dad to Stanford." Her face dropped, and she nearly choked on her next words. "The results indicated my husband has
advanced cancer." She broke down and cried.
I felt helpless. She stood about six inches shorter than I, and I could have reached out and
hugged her head. But I stood in silence ...until God inspired me to ask, "Is it okay if I pray with you?"
She looked up at me with tear-filled blue eyes and asked, "Oh, would you?"
She held out her arms. I embraced her and prayed. I do not remember the exact words, but they
were God-inspired. I know I started with, "Precious Jesus," and ended with, "We ask in the matchless name of our Savior, amen." I
returned to my campsite retaining a prayerful heart for this hurting woman.
The next morning, my husband and I left without seeing her. Since that time, I often wondered
about the results of our prayer. Did her beloved succumb to the cancer?
Five years later, a noisy bunch in the three campsites around us looked familiar, especially
the oldest lady. Excited, I rushed to see her. After taking a deep breath, I called her aside. "Forgive me for intruding,
but is your husband here?" I asked. She looked up at me in astonishment and gave me a big hug. "Yes, he is here. I
have never forgotten you."
"But why?" I asked.
"Because, you see, I have been Catholic my entire life. I never heard anyone pray as you
did - like you talk to God on a regular basis. You seemed to know Him personally and sense that He listens. The prayer
was answered. My husband was healed."
It was my turn to cry ...tears of joy. At first I was a bit apprehensive to pray with
this stranger, but thankfully I obeyed God's nudge.
What will you do when you sense God's nudge to pray with a stranger?
========
Father, thank You for prayer ...and its power. Help us respond to Your nudge to pray with others. We
want to be effective; to be a part of Your incredible work. Give us courage to to approach those who need prayer. Jesus, be
glorified in us - through our prayers. We love You, and look to You always. Thank You for displaying Your Almighty presence
here among us. In the Name of Jesus we pray, amen.
