Would you ever pray for a stranger in public? I hope my story encourages you to step out and be bold in Jesus’ name. In the spring of 2023 I was in the early stages of my boldness. Praying for people was on my heart but little did I know how the Lord would challenge me, and grow me, to pray for a woman at Target.

I drove to the coffee shop early on a Sunday morning before church starts. I’m sitting in my vehicle drinking a cup of coffee and watching a sermon on my phone. I then feel a compulsion to go to Target and get something for a friend.

As I’m walking through the store I pass by a woman who is stocking shelves and say good morning to her. Immediately the Lord speaks to me and says

Go pray for her.

Well now I’m rattled. And the questions and doubts start coming:

• Pray for a stranger?
• In public?
• Are you sure?
• I have not done this before.
• What do you say?
• How do you do it?
• What if she kicks me out of the store?

I want to do but but my nerves are up and I need some time to calm down and build up my courage, so I act as if I am shopping but instead I am running through things to say in my mind.

My concern is that she is different from me in every regard: I am a man, she is a woman; she’s older than me; she’s an employee and I am a customer. At first glance we don’t have much in common and our differences could make for a strange dynamic as I am approaching a stranger in public. (I would later find out that we both have Jesus in common and that is all we needed.)

I pray in my head I hope I know how to pray whatever she needs.

I approach her. My nerves are off the charts and my body language is awkward and uncomfortable. I say:

I got the sense that the Lord maybe wanted me to pray for you?

Then she looks at me with huge bug eyes.

Oh no.

I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear. I would have preferred to be on Mars rather than standing right there in that moment.

This is weird! And awkward! She’s going to kick me out of the store I think to myself.

Then she says:

Yes! My leg hurts.

Well thank you Jesus!!! I think to myself. I know how to pray for that!

We spoke for a moment and I told her briefly that I have seen people healed in Jesus’ name from prayer. We continued to talk, she shared another prayer request and also mentioned that she wants to go to church but has to work some Sundays and has a hard time getting there. As we are talking she mentions that she has goosebumps all over and I tell her that is the Holy Spirit and once I said that she got even more goosebumps and audibly gasped!

It came time to pray. I asked if I could pray for her right now and she agreed. I asked if I could lay a hand on her and she gives me a look as if to say please do not do that so I don’t and then pray for healing.

We said our goodbyes and then I made my way to the exit.

This is not a story to tell the world of how amazing I am. Was she healed? I don’t know. My prayer for you is that this story encourages you to listen to the Lord and step out in faith and in boldness in Jesus’ name. Will it be bumpy and challenging? Yes. Will it be fun and interesting? Yes! Will you be okay at the end? Yes.

Lord give us boldness and fearlessness to act in Your name. Put us in front of people who need prayer, and give us the confidence to do the works you have called us to do. Lord give us a word to share! And give us the strength to share it with those who need to hear. In Jesus’ name, amen.