Prayer When Most Needed

Today I receive guidance to be prepared to pray for someone who really needs it.  About an hour later, I was driving home and saw a man sitting on the side of the road squatting with his knees bent to his shoulders and his hands covering his face.  I slowed my car and parked nearby, but not too close, and sat there for a moment asking, “Really, God? Am I supposed to get out of my car and walk up to this man in what appears to be a painful moment?” I got an immediate feeling of urgency, “Now is the time to go.”

So, I got out of my car, slowly approached him, and said, “Hi.  I just want to know how you're doing.  Are you O.K.?”  As he took his hands away from his face I could see tears were streaming down from his red eyes, and his face was distorted with pain and he said, “No!” He poured out his story telling me the mother of his two children kicked him out of the house and won't let him see his children. He said he tried to commit suicide yesterday because there is no reason to hold on. I asked, “Can I pray for you?” He said, “Yes.”

I held his hand and the most fervent prayer came out of me for this man's Soul, asking for God to guide him, protect him…to nurture him and meet him right where he feels pain. I asked God to heal his feelings of unworthiness and guilt. To lift the burden of not feeling good enough and the pressure of not measuring up to someone's demands of him. I asked God to lift this lie from him. I prayed for God to help him surrender the burdens he carries and to reveal to him that he has a good heart and to let him know that he's loved. To help him hold on with the power of the Holy Spirit and for Jesus Christ to love and nurture him. Amen!

 After the prayer, I told him of my own challenges with darkness and how I’ve learned that you cannot control how someone else behaves, but you can lean on God and know you are loved. I noticed the prayer and sharing kind of perked him up. His stopped crying, his eyes were wide open and he was a lot calmer. I asked him if he was feeling better and he said, “yes.” I asked him if I could give him a hug and he stood up and we gave each other a hug. I told him that I walk by here almost every day, and asked if he’s ever seen me before? He said, “Yes I've seen you.” I told him the next time he sees me - to walk with me - or just say hi. He said, “O.K.”  I told him to always hold on…it always gets better…sometimes you just need the next day and things feel a little better…I asked him to promise to hold on.  He said, “I promise.”

 Update...

Oh my!  The mother of the man I prayed for saw my post and posted this:  "Good Evening Penelope.  I just wanted to say thank you for what you did.  That person was my son.  I really want to thank you! Everything he told you was the truth.  He has been going through a lot in life.  He is a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit.  He would do anything for anybody if he could.  He has two beautiful children, but can't see them right now because she has control over the whole thing.  All he wants is a job to better himself, but with having a low esteem it has been hard.  He came over to my place and told me about you.  He was so surprised that someone cared enough to come and talk to him.  That will leave a lasting impression in his life.  What an Angel God sent to talk to my son.  Again, thank you!!