BY MICHAELA KOLL
Friday nights have always been some of my favorite times while living in the city. Every Friday night as YWAM San Francisco, we go out with hot chocolate to share with our friends on the streets. Taking time to share hot chocolate, listen to people’s stories and then offer prayer if they want, has taught me valuable lessons that have shaped my life. It has taught me to get out of my comfort zone, to listen wholeheartedly to others and to listen to God for the people I meet on the streets.
One evening as my group and I walked out on the streets, I felt that I was dragging my feet as I didn’t “feel” like going out. I started praying over my own heart, asking the Lord to help me change my negative mindset, align my heart with His and help me go out with a heart to love and bless our friends on the street. As I did that I really felt the presence of the Lord with me as we walked up to a lady on Eddy Street. We offered her hot chocolate and she asked us if we could pray for her. We asked the Lord what was on His heart for her and shared that with her.
While we were praying for her, a man named Juan approached us and asked if he could also pray for her. As he prayed in Spanish for her, I felt a tug on my heart to pray for him. I started praying for him under my breath and Juan responded in Spanish as I was praying for him. I understood what he was praying and afterward asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus into his life. He said no, but that he would like to tonight.
As we prayed for him, he began to cry as God was touching his heart. At the end of our prayer, Juan looked at me and started crying. This was one of the first times in my life where I saw the power of the Gospel and Jesus right in front of me.
This was a beautiful time as I learned how important it is for me to not only listen to others wholeheartedly but also to listen to God for others.