What if that sudden “stray thought” you had wasn’t just you daydreaming or imagining things, but a supernatural nudge from God, leading to a Divine encounter?

Friday Lunchtime in one of our local cities.  Having prayed that Holy Spirit would direct my steps and set up timely appointments, I walked about a bit then sat on a bench in the pedestrianised area of the High Street.   Out of the corner of my eye, I became aware of two young guys in their late twenties over on another bench. Without being able to hear their conversation, I “just knew” that one was schooling the other in following Islam, even though his fair-haired student looked distinctly non-Muslim.  I had another sudden "inkling” concerning these guys -, again with no visible outer evidence: Back issues.  I had every intention of going over to them and asking if they had any back problems I could pray for.  Then my phone rang!  It was someone whose call I felt I needed to take.  By the time the call was finished, the guys on the other bench had gone.   

Feeling disappointed, I listened for a while to a street singer with a great voice, then made my way further down the other end of the high street.  Who should be there setting up a stand for a well-known charity than …..the fair-haired bench guy!!  Second chance encounter coming up!

“Bench guy” is a friendly chap, super-tall and hoping to join the police soon.  I’ll call him James. When I came straight out and asked him if he had back issues, he said quizzically – “actually yes, I do. I have this curvature in my spine that affects my posture and movement.  It’s impacting my police training. Why are you asking?”  I explained about praying for people and how I felt God had highlighted him as having a back issue while he was sitting with his friend earlier on the bench.  Offering to pray for him very briefly right there and then, he was intrigued and seemed happy to let me pray.  Just then, however, his colleague (the other guy on the bench!) came over and, on hearing that I wanted to pray for his friend, tried to stop it by saying that it is not in their religion to be prayed for by others, because they are Muslim.

This could have been the perfect opportunity for James to decline my offer and politely withdraw, but I could just sense that he wanted me to go ahead and pray.  When I said “Oh, please don’t worry.  I have prayed for healing for many Muslims before”, James said “Sure, why not then?” His friend stopped objecting and walked away.  

Thanking Father for James and speaking the Father’s love over him, I placed my hand on his jacket over his lower central back area (with his full permission). I took authority in Jesus’ Name over his spinal alignment and commanded the curve to be made straight and everything in his spinal column to come into its perfect position, range of motion and strength.  The whole prayer lasted only a moment. 

Afterwards, I asked James to tell me what was going on.  His response was – “ I actually do feel different!  It feels like – relief. I can’t really explain it.  Everything inside there feels very peaceful. Like I can stretch it again.  That’s very interesting. Very interesting” 

After I declared supernatural favour over his next police physical,, James told me that his Mum is actually a Christian minister!! Obviously, James has been on his own seeking journey.  Today, the Seeker of all, Jesus, came looking for this precious one, revealing His healing love and power to him in action, not just words. No doubt his Mum has prayed fervently for such moments as these. It was such a privilege to be even a part of the answer to her prayers.

Oh Jesus, continue to encounter this precious son with Your saving love.  Bring him home, Father, safe in Your very own house forevermore, saved, delivered and healed.  

Whilst on the earlier phone call, I had also spotted a lady (early forties) go hobbling past me, her leg in a surgical boot.  A man was also walking with her.  I immediately felt a strong nudge to offer to pray for her leg/foot.  But again, she had disappeared into the crowd once I was free to follow after them.  I couldn’t find them anywhere! Aaarrgghh!  Going back to the area near the street singer, I sat and listened some more.  At one point I turned around and, who should be passing behind me? – the man and the lady with the surgical boot! Another second chance!!  I leapt up and asked the lady what had happened to her leg?  She was a little surprised to be accosted by a total stranger (!) but told me that it was a gym injury involving badly torn ligaments and achilles heel. Owwww!  I explained about praying for people in pain and seeing God take their pain away in a matter of moments.  The lady – Davina – agreed to let me pray for her and her husband seemed happy with it too.  I couldn’t easily tell what faith background they came from, but I could tell they had never been prayed for like this before! 

Praying briefly while lightly touching the side of Davina’s leg, I commanded all effects of the injury to be reversed, everything to be made whole and well and all pain to be gone. I also prayed for all tension to ease and freedom to come to her whole body. Or something along those lines! When I asked how she could best check it out, she said it would have to be when she got home and took her boot off.  But her husband chimed in and said – “well, why don’t you take a few steps, you’d be able to tell something from that” (!).  So Davina walked around a little and said – “It definitely feels like it’s not tight anymore.  It used to feel really tight when I walked but it doesn’t now.  Thank you!”.  

I would love to have gone further with the checking out and praying process, but I sensed this was as far as I could take the encounter, so I blessed them both and let them go.  Over to you, Holy Spirit.  Please bring this unusual event to mind again and again, as Davina walks miraculously free of pain and restriction.  Draw them both to you, Jesus! 

Finally.  The street singer with the great voice – young guy in his early twenties.  When I asked Father for an encouragement for him, I caught the inner inkling of a name:  “Kieran”.  I didn’t feel this was actually the young man’s name, so I looked up its meaning on my phone, sensing that the meaning of the name would be relevant to him.  It means “dark-haired prince”.  The singer did have dark hair – so that was a good start! 

I felt the encouragement was all about identity, about knowing that God had made him very intentionally with the exact colouring and features and personality he had.  He might have wanted to look different than he did in some way, but he was purposefully and uniquely designed by Father God!  There was also some input about another way he saw himself – not in a royal way like a prince, but more like a pauper, one of the “little people”, just one among the vast crowd.  This is not how he is to view himself!  The Father wants him to be a prince with impact and significance, especially through his gift of music and song. 

When he was between songs, I went over and chatted to him.  A sweet young guy, this was his first time performing in this city.  When I explained the encouragement I felt God had given through the name Kieran, he exclaimed “That’s my friend’s name”!  He really resonated with the things I shared about the name meaning applying to him.  Especially about seeing himself as just a “little person, one among many”. I could see his stature increase as he heard about being a prince with significant impact!  He wore a cross round his neck, though I’m not sure what meaning it has to him. Yet!

Before leaving, I said “Father God has put your friend, Kieran, in your life to remind you of who you are”. “Don’t forget what God has shown you today”.  He was genuinely thankful, hugged me and we parted company. 

Bring others who carry your Life-giving grace, Jesus, to this dear one as he sings in other city streets. Let him come into his full identity in You, as true Royalty, born anew into the family of King Jesus! 

And thank you Jesus for your supernatural inklings and heaven-sent second chances!