Church was about to get out, and I was thinking about the prayer room. I hadn’t been going there for a while, or working the parking lot either for that matter, for the past few months I had been taking a break because of my shoulder. Because of course, shoulder surgery impedes your ability to pray with folks who are in crisis you know, yeahhhhh. More like the fog of the medication was impeding my desire to volunteer, but that was all changing because I was done taking them. That probably has something to do with why I was thinking about something other than myself again, my head was clearing, and I felt a very strong motivation that I needed to go to the room after services.
I put my name tag on, and settled in the comfortable chair and began to look over prayer request cards, as a friend stopped by and said hi. While he was chatting with me for a few moments, asking what I had been up to, where I had been and so on, a man entered the room and went directly to the wall across from me. He knelt and went into prayer, and I gave my friend the look that told him I may be needed soon, and he took the hint and left.
The man was average build, so average in fact that if I were to have to describe him to police, I would have a hard time, he was incredibly average. He was 40-50ish, dark tanned, someone who spent his days outside, and he was praying fervently, I don’t know how to explain that, but I could tell that he was in deep communion with God from the time he hit his knees. I have seen people pray like this before when they have had family members near death, or when they were wracked with guilt over a sin, or were afraid their marriage would end and they could do nothing to save it. I looked away to give him his privacy until he finally stood and turned around to face me, and what I saw was not what I expected at all, but quite the opposite.
I stood and said hello, my name is Jim, and asked him if there was anything I pray with him about. He shook my hand, but his face was not troubled in the least, on the contrary it was a mask of peace as he looked me in the eyes and said Hi, I’m Mark, what can I pray with you about?
I didn’t know what to say, I thought as we stood there shaking hands. His were hard, the hands of someone akin to working hard for a living, but he just looked into me with those eyes. He wasn’t there to make conversation, and I felt as though the man was looking right into my soul when he looked at me. He wasn’t smiling, he just had that look of peace on his face as he stood there and waited for me to tell him what he had come to hear. I could swear the man knew my story when he looked at me, had he been sent, had he looked over the shoulder of his Boss at my page in the book of life before he had been sent on this mission? I didn’t know, but I definitely knew something “different” was going on.
I hesitated, isn’t it funny, I am a prayer room guy, there to help others who are going through a hard time and maybe need a little help and support, yet when it came to me it was different. The first thoughts that went through my head were “I am a prayer room guy, I am here to help you, not the other way around” as if because I wore the little nametag on my shirt that meant I had my act together (do we ever do that as Christians?).
His stare, it just continued, and he didn’t talk, he just waited as I vacillated, he knew my story I am sure, but he waited, because I had to open up. That is what this had all been about, hadn’t it? I wasn’t supposed to go to the prayer room to pray for someone else tonight, someone was coming to the prayer room to pray for me. I was coming out of this hard time in life and God was telling me “enough, it’s time to get back to work, you’ve milked that shoulder all you’re going to, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and let’s get back on task son, it’s time to get your head back in the game”.
So I told Mark what I needed prayers for, we sat, and he prayed for me. After he finished, he shook my hand again, placed a hand on my shoulder, then walked out of the room, I haven’t seen him since, nor do I ever expect to again. Yes, I do go to a big church, and it is easy to miss seeing people, but that is not why I don’t think I will ever see Mark again, I don’t think I will ever see Mark again because I believe he was sent from heaven, I am pretty sure Mark was an angel. Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
I know one thing, I was a different man when I left the prayer room that day than I was when I went in, feeling strangely healed in many ways. Whether he was an angel or not, I have no doubt God placed Mark in my path that day. God Bless-JFT
Oh wow, do I love this, Jim!! I agree, it probably was an angel–I love that verse so much, and think of it often when I know I’m going to be out and about, encountering strangers. I’m so happy for you that you’re feeling some deeper healing, and peace–that’s wonderful news! As I’ve been praying for you each night–my “blog family prayers”–and it’s good to know some of them are working. Your posts are always the “tears-prickling” kind–when they’re not “totally weepy”–thanks for being here with and for us! God bless you–sis Caddo
Caddo,
I hope you know how much your prayers mean to me and “us” in your Christian brotherhood, and yes, they are always heard. Sometimes though our blade needs to be further tempered and sharpened, and that cannot happen without going into the fire again, and then being reshaped on the anvil. It is painful, and there are times when we think we are at our breaking point, but we are not, God knows what our breaking points are and allows the tempering to strengthen us for further tasks in His kingdom, but man does it hurt sometimes. 😉 God Bless-Jim
Hi Jim,
I can relate to that. I was reminded of my experience years ago when I knew that I had had an angel encounter. You definitely know when it has happened. I have been well and my family too. God has been faithful in our lives as we settle a new country. Looking forward to getting back to full time blogging again.
Blessings,
Gladwell
Gladwell!!!!!
My dear and long lost friend, How are you, it has been so long. I am glad you and your family have settled in a new country, we certainly have missed your words of wisdom. Are you in the UK as you intended when we last spoke? I sure do look forward to you beginning to re-enter the blog world. God bless, and welcome back. Jim
Jim,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. Cool!
Blessings
ann
P.S. …Did he say Mark, or Mike … as in Michael ? 😉
Hi Ann
Nope, not Michael, I thought about that too but it was just “Mark”. He wasn’t a huge imposing figure like I would imagine Michael being either, but in reality I have no clue what Michael would look like, he could look like Danny DeVito (sorry Danny, no insult intended). Think of David and Goliath, God usually uses the least expected one to conquer the monster rather than the bruiser, you know. God Bless-Jim
Great testimony. I love it.
Thanks Bro, Were I God, I would have given up on me long ago, good thing I am not God, huh? haha
I am so thrilled this happened, right at this time. How’s that for a kick start after the whole shoulder fog? wow! All I can think is that He has big plans for you. 🙂 God bless you and all your encounters today!
Thanks Deb,
Yes, it was quite a kick start, and sometimes I need the boot to get goin (you know how us ornery old guys can be). All kidding aside, It amazes me how God responds to us at certain key times, puts us where we need to be, sends people/angels there. I don’t know how big the plan is, but I do believe there is a plan, you know. God Bless-Jim