Praying Behind Backs
As an introvert, I recognize that I am wired differently. At times I’ve wanted to be that stereotypical strong and confident guy able to walk boldly into circumstances and make things happen, but over the years I’ve grown to really like the way God made me. I think that makes all the difference in how you reflect what Jesus is like to those around you.
Some time ago, I found myself standing in line at the grocery, and couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of two young women in front of me. It was so negative, and gossipy that it seemed to stick to my mind. Had I had more nerve I might have said something, but just then I sensed the Lord say, “Pray behind their backs.” It was out of the blue and completely unexpected, but before I could process it all, it was my turn in line and the moment was gone. However, that thought “Pray behind their backs” lingered with me all day.
I began an experiment. Every time I stood in line at the grocery, or the coffee shop, or in the drive-thru line, I asked God to remind me to “pray behind their backs.” And many times He did.
No long after, I found myself at our local grocery, picking up a few items for dinner. Rather than heading to self check-out, like I usually do, I went to aisle six where there was a woman with a full cart and a purse filled with coupons. “This could take some time,” I thought. As I put my items on the conveyor belt, I was quickly distracted by all the 5-hour energy drinks, candy bars and tabloid headlines, and hardly noticed that another person with a large basket had slid in behind me. I was trapped in line waiting my turn.
And then I was reminded: “Pray behind her back.” Yes, yes, of course. Thanks, God.
So I did. “God, bless this woman, obviously a mother as indicated by her purchases. Reveal Yourself and let her know how much you love her.” As I prayed silently along those lines, the thought, “broken relationships, daughters” dropped into my mind. That struck me odd, as it didn’t follow my train of thought, but what the heck, maybe it was God and I’m only praying in my head anyway. “Lord, mend the hearts of mothers and daughters.”
As I stood behind her, silently praying blessing and restoration, she suddenly turned around and said, “Do I know you?”
My heart started pounding. Had I been praying out loud? “Uh, I don’t think so, maybe,” I said. “I shop here a lot, grew up and have lived in Cincinnati most of my life.”
“Huh,” she said, “Oh, I don’t know, you just seem familiar.”
“Well, my name is Rusty, good to meet you.”
She smiled and turned back around and continued to pass items to the cashier who had curiously noticed our exchange.
I just stood there looking and feeling a little awkward but decided to keep praying. “Lord, bless this woman and her relationships with her family, especially with her girls.”
A few seconds later she turned and looked at me again saying, “Did you say something?”
A little confused, I answered, “I didn’t say anything… but I was praying for you.” That last phrase left my lips before I could get it back.
“You were praying for me?” she said, surprised. At that, the cashier who had silently been scanning the items looked up and stared, obviously interested in what was happening in front of her.
“Um, yes, praying for you. I’ve just decided to pray for the people ahead of me whenever I find myself in lines.”
She looked at me oddly. “Oh, that’s nice,” she said. The cashier just stared. “What were you praying?” At that, I felt exposed. The lady behind me and the bag boy were listening in, too.
“Uh, well, I know Jesus loves you and I was just asking Him to bless you and your family, things like that.” She stared deeply and tears began to well up in her eyes.
As she looked for a tissue from her purse, I asked if she had daughters. To which she nodded. “Two teenagers,” she said.
“I was asking God to mend the relationship with your daughters,” I said.
Then she really began to weep. “My daughters and I aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, and it's tearing me apart.” She shared a few more tearful words.
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said, “Jesus loves you all so much.” I could feel the eyes of the bag boy, cashier and the lady behind on me.
When the tearful woman said, “How did you know that?" I smiled and said, “I don’t really know, it’s just the thought that dropped into my mind as I was praying behind you. Maybe God dropped that in, to let you know He sees you.”
Everyone was looking now. As the woman blew her nose, my introverted self took a risk saying, “Would mind if I prayed for you right now?” She looked up and said, “Sure.”
So, wedged between carts and with eyes glued on me, I prayed a simple prayer aloud: “God, would you bless this woman and her family, would you restore her relationship with her daughters and let her know how much you love them, in Jesus name. Amen.”
More tears and smiles after that, in fact everyone was smiling. “Thank you so much,” the woman said.
The cashier, who had long since finished scanning, looked at me with big round eyes and said, “Will you pray for me, too? My family is hard for me also.”
“Sure,” I said, and reached across the conveyor belt, placed my hand on hers and asked God to send hope into her heart and peace into her family.
The goodness of God broke out in aisle six, and the Spirit of Jesus was all around. Everyone was included. Even the bag boy gave me a high five heading out the door. In a quiet, introverted kind of way, prayers offered behind the back brought Jesus to the front.
Whose back are you praying behind?
Rus had the opportunity again to share God stories at the Cincinnati Hill Christian Academy chapel.
Rus and a team of others visited the campus of Back2Back Ministries in Haiti this month, to pray for and minister to the missionaries and workers who serve the kids as part of their orphan care ministry.
The next Prophetic Prayer and Communion is February 17th at 7pm! Join us for a sweet time of listening and prayer.
Limited childcare will be provided.