In almost every major city in South Africa you will find beggars and people selling goods, gathered at the main traffic lights of the city, ready to approach you as soon as the traffic lights turn red.
On a recent trip to Bloemfontein, we stopped at a red traffic light and immediately somebody tried to sell my husband Steve something.
Firstly, it was a car cell phone charger – Steve showed the man he already had one.
Secondly, it was a sunscreen for the windshield – Steve had one.
Thirdly, it was a peak cap and Steve had one of those too!
And then Steve did something that left our oldest daughter Sarah and I, for want of a better word, totally gobsmacked!
He put his arm out of the window, placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and said:
“I WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING. I will pray for you and ask God to bless you. I will ask God that you will find favour with those you meet and that He will bless your business”.
The man immediately closed his eyes and Steve prayed. As Steve said ‘Amen’ the man was pushed out of the way and there stood a beggar. He grabbed Steve’s hand, placed it on his own shoulder and said “I want it. I also want the blessing. Pray for me, pray for me!”
And Steve prayed for him.
The traffic lights turned green and as Steve drove off Sarah said “Wow dad, that was amazing!”
I said “I can’t believe you did that! It was incredible”.
Sarah’s friend said “You mean, he doesn’t do that all the time? It looked like he always does that!”
Steve, Sarah and I assured her that this was the first time Steve had ever done something like that and the friend responded “I also want to be able to do that!”
Steve responded “That was not me, that was the work of the Holy Spirit!”
Steve and I pray for these two men on an almost daily basis. I believe that some time later those two men sought out a church that welcomed them in, and from those road side prayers, an incredible street ministry has begun! God says “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14) and we are asking for a street ministry to begin in Bloemfontein!!
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…” (Acts 3:6)
I ask that God will bless you
I ask that God will heal you
I ask that God will provide for all your needs
UNDER A JUNIPER TREE 
What an incredible moment of testimony. Thanks for sharing Noelene. I just love reading your blogs. Always thought – provoking and beautifully written
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Thank you, Julie.
I will never forget the moment when that beggar pushed the street vendor out of the way and grabbed Steve’s hand to place on his own shoulder and ‘demand’ prayer – there are so many people desperate for a touch from God and we walk past them, without a thought, every day – countless times.
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Thank you so much for sharing this. I have so enjoyed this testimony. Many times I have felt a Holy Spirit inspired desire to reach out to someone in need but I’m ashamed to say that I have quashed it often. I’m sure that, by Steve following the Lord and obeying Him in that moment, he was as blessed as the two men he prayed for. Thank you again for sharing this xx
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That is something I think we all need to work on – recognising and obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit!
Steve has been incredibly blessed by his ‘roadside’ prayer encounter and it has been such a privilege to continue to pray for these two men.
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