Praying for healing in public

I had a kind of fun experience today. It was a bit intimidating, but somewhat fun and enjoyable overall. We have been trying a few different things for outreach to people here in Marseille and today we thought we'd go on the subway and just strike up conversations with whoever we were sitting across from. I was really nervous about doing this because I felt there was no way that someone would want to talk to some random stranger on the train. I know I wouldn't!

I had been having all kinds of doubts about my faith, what I really believe, whether God really is good or producing the goods in my life... really a big spiritual attack really but I just thought I was a rubbish Christian.

The guys prayed for me this morning and I had a kind of do-or-die attitude that went something like this, "This is going to be rubbish and useless, but I'll go and do it anyway because I'm meant to do it."

We were going in pairs which was a good idea. I got on the subway with Angie and we sat opposite a lady who had a girl sitting beside her, resting her head in her lap. She was stroking the girl's hair in a comforting way. As we sat down we said "bonjour" and she smiled and said "bonjour" back to us.

I started a conversation in French, asking if the girl was tired. The mum replied that she had a headache. I then thought this was the most obvious moment to offer to pray for her, but I sat there and kind of kept quiet. Angie complimented the girl on her bag. After a few moments Angie asked if I thought we should offer to pray. I said I agreed but was also a bit intimidated. As I waited, the lady smiled at me again and I thought it just seemed too easy an opportunity to miss. Nobody could have been more welcoming.

I said that I was a Christian and asked if I could pray for the girl's head. She responded by saying "if you want to". We laid hands on her and prayed (in English, sadly) for God to heal her. They were grateful and we talked a little more until the end of the line.

It was just a great feeling to actually do what I've always thought we should be doing. The rest of the afternoon wasn't as eventful, but I was excited that I had been obedient in something at least once. I felt God had given me a HUGE "window of opportunity" to get up the courage to do it and I was grateful for that.