The retail park was busy with families, out shopping and dining together.  In one of the larger stores, a shopping assistant seemed to “stand out” to me as I looked across the shop floor.  She was wheeling clothes between the fitting room and shop floor, putting unwanted items back on the rails.  Although she showed no outward sign of it, I had a strong sense that this young lady was suffering from back pain. 

Waiting for a timely moment when she came near, I remarked to her that she must rack up a lot of steps each day with all the walking she does round the store!  She readily agreed and added that she really should wear a fitness strap to record her steps each day.  She then went on to tell me that she wouldn’t mind so much but she was finding things hard today as she had a terrible toothache.  By now I had found out her name – “Chloe”.  Chloe went on to explain that she had an infected tooth abcess – no wonder she was in pain!

Prefacing the next part of my conversation with “I know this might sound a bit left-field”…I then told Chloe that I’m a kind of street pastor who prays for people so their pain can be taken away on the spot.  “You obviously have pain from your tooth” I continued “ but, when I saw you in the distance, I really felt that you are also dealing with back pain.  Is that true? “ 

“Oh yes!”  Chloe responded.  “My back is not good at all - hasn’t been for quite a while”.  Now for the important question – “Would you allow me to pray for you very briefly, Chloe?” “”Ahhh…okay then” came her reply.  I could tell this was a whole new experience for her - from a passing stranger at that!

Ushering her into a quieter space within the fitting room lobby, I asked her for her pain levels.  Her tooth pain was 10/10!  Her back pain she scaled at 7/10.  That’s a whole lot of pain!  I prayed first for her tooth, very gently touching her cheek and commanding the source of the pain and all infection to leave in the name of Jesus.  I then quickly moved down to her back area and spoke to the areas of her back that were responsible for her pain, including spine misalignment and muscle weakness.  The dual prayer took a minute at most.

I asked Chloe if she had felt any sensations in her body during the prayer – she hadn’t.  Then I asked her how she was doing pain-wise and she quickly said “Well the back pain’s gone”  “All of it?” I checked.  “Yup, my back feels absolutely fine now”.  (7/10 to zero pain in one quick prayer!!  Woo Hoo and thank you Jesus!!”). 

“What about your tooth?”  “That still hurts.” came Chloe’s reply. I explained about sometimes needing to pray briefly a few times before the pain finally goes.   At that point a lady came in to the fitting room area carrying a dress to try on.  “Oh, what lovely colours!” I exclaimed to this lady – “you’ll look great in that!” and off she went to the fitting cubicles!  Now we could continue.

After praying again and taking authority over infirmity, Chloe reported that the pain had definitely eased.  It was about 6/10 now.  Her Manager walked past at that point but thankfully didn’t stop!  I knew I was on borrowed time, though, and needed to be honouring of Chloe’s work responsibilities.  One quick final prayer and she reported that there was still a bit of pain left but it was certainly better than before.  I didn’t feel it was right to press on beyond this point, even though I would have loved to have prayed until Chloe had zero pain.  I told her to expect the pain to go completely, even in the course of that day. 

When I asked Chloe before I left how she had found that whole experience, she said “I’m not going to lie, it was pretty strange!” but she said it with a grateful if puzzled tone.  I left her with a copy of the Father’s Love Letter, encouraging her to read it on her own in a quiet moment and to take the words as spoken just to her, from the God who had just been healing her body out of His great love for her.  She thanked me warmly and I went out into the car park.

Thank you for protecting that fitting room prayer space, dear Holy Spirit. so Chloe could receive a signpost of your love and healing power. Please journey with her onward now, right into the arms of her Saviour, Jesus!  All to your glory, Lord!!