Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to offer a word of encouragement or pray for someone but didn’t? I sure have! Perhaps you didn’t want to intrude or weren’t sure what to say or do. Maybe you might not have time to get involved. Or, you might have felt inadequate based on the situation. In this article, I’d like to reflect upon ways we can be ready to respond to promptings of the Spirit. 

At times, God will place us at a certain time and place and enable us to be present in a given situation. Some people refer to these promptings as “divine appointments,”  “holy nudges,” or “God winks.” It’s where you are present and have the opportunity to be God’s instrument in word or in deed.   

Here’s a recent situation I experienced: I had gone to Johnston Willis Hospital to visit a church member. However, the member was having some tests run and was not in their room. I left a note and headed back to my car. As I got to the elevator, there was a family sitting in the waiting room across from the elevator. They were obviously upset, and some were in tears. I thought, “What should I do?” and said a quick silent prayer. Sensing the Spirit’s prompting, I went over to them, and said, “I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but I saw that y’all are having a hard time and thought I might be a help in some way.”  Then I said, “My name is Bob Lee and I’m a local pastor. I happened to be visiting. Would it be okay if I said a prayer with you all?” 

They were so grateful and said, “We would love that!” I told them that I didn’t need to know any specifics, but they did share some of the information about their family member who was hospitalized. I told them my name and where I serve, and they happened to have had some connections with HRBC! What a small world! 

I shared a few passages of scripture from the Book of Psalms and offered a prayer for their family member and for them. Then I mentioned that if they needed some help in any way to get in touch with me at HRBC. After sensing that they were in a better place, I went on down to my car and drove back to church. What a blessing to be a help in what was an emotional time for them. I am grateful that I listened to the prompting of the Spirit!

This experience and others like it remind me of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch as recorded in Acts 8:26-40. An angel of the Lord led Philip (one of the seven deacons in Acts 6:5) to witness to the Ethiopian. The angel told him to “go to the chariot and stay near it.” Philip obeyed and noticed the Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah the prophet. He was prompted to ask the man if he understood what he was reading? This opened the door for Philip to explain God’s word to the man, and eventually to lead him to follow Jesus and be baptized. It is understood that the man Ethiopian was responsible for sharing the gospel for the first time on the continent of Africa.

Please note that there are times when we aren’t supposed to intervene in a situation. But when we sense a peace and a prompting from God, the Spirit of God will help us know what to say or not to say and how to pray. Often, the Spirit will lead us to pray silently for a situation.  

When these divine appointments occur, may we trust in the Spirit of God who will enable us to be his messengers in whatever way will be most helpful. And when our part is done, we simply leave the rest to God!  

In Christ’s care and service,