Today, two of us traveled with the Teen Challenge bus. While waiting patiently and earnestly for the direction of God, we came across a sixteen year old teenager on the street and invited him to eat and talk with us. He was open to listen but said very little. But when one of us shared how God had answered our prayer and granted healing for their father’s cancer and financial support after her mom lost her job, he agreed to let us pray with him.
Moments before praying, this young man got up suddenly and said that he had to get in touch with his mom. He said he would return within five to ten minutes. As team members reviewed what had happened, the teenager returned. Immediately after sitting, they prayed for God’s direction in his life and for him to have his own personal encounter with God. We thought that the teenager was going to leave after prayer but he stayed to listen. Amazingly, he stayed with us for almost the entire early part of the afternoon, learning how to flip through the bible, reading scriptures with us, and even taking a bible with him.
We shared the story of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15 and Revelation 3:20 to explain the love, faithfulness, and graciousness of God. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
