Praying at the Airport

When my teenage son and I arrived at the airport during a recent father-and-son trip, I felt prompted by God to ask for an encounter with someone from a region where I had once lived. In our carry-on luggage, we had a Bible and a bookmark with a summary of Scripture’s core message, both in the primary language of that area. We’d planned to give them away on this trip and hadn’t had an opportunity.

But as I thought of asking my son to pray with me, I hesitated. I would be embarrassed if I prayed in front of my teen and nothing happened.

What matters most is the One in whom I place my trust.

As we headed toward the security line, I wrestled with my lack of faith and the Spirit’s gentle nudges to pray.

Years ago, I had enough faith to follow God overseas, but praying to connect with someone in need of the Gospel seemed overwhelming today.

I thought about this as we moved through the line. It struck me that even though the strength of my faith fluctuates, God’s character never changes. What matters most is the One in whom I place my trust.

On the other side of the security checkpoint, I pulled my son away from the bustling crowds and told him about the nudge I’d felt from the Holy Spirit.

He bowed his head as I prayed out loud, “God, you know we brought this Bible and bookmark with us, but we haven’t heard anyone speaking that language. Would you connect us with someone who can read this Bible?”

Maybe this was the answer to my prayer.

I opened my eyes, but nothing happened. My son and I exchanged a glance before continuing toward our departure gate. We waited to board the plane without any indication that God had heard us. I hadn’t expected an immediate response, but we were almost home, and I feared we had run out of time.

Then, partway through the flight, I noticed that three men a few rows ahead of us were speaking the very language of the Bible in my carry-on!

I nudged my son, and he took his earbuds out of his ears.

“Do you hear what language they’re speaking?” I asked.

He listened for a moment and his mouth dropped open. “Yeah.”

My heart thudded with hope. Maybe this was the answer to my prayer. I prayed again, asking for an open door to talk with them. By the time our plane touched down, however, our paths had not crossed.

Discouragement weighed on me as we deplaned and dispersed. I had missed my chance to follow through.

But as we headed toward the baggage claim, we ran into the same three men from our flight.

Their eyes widened in astonishment when I greeted them in their language. Once they’d recovered from their surprise, they laughed and returned my greeting.

“Before our plane took off, we prayed to meet someone who speaks your language.  You are God’s answer to our prayer,” I told them as I reached into my bag. “Could we give you this Bible and bookmark?”

We eagerly expect the Lord to move in mighty ways.

They smiled and received our gifts.

“I believe this is good fortune,” one of them replied, leafing through the Bible.

“This means that God loves you,” I responded.

With that, we said goodbye and went on our way, our hearts rejoicing.

“Wow, Dad, that was amazing!” My son’s smile stretched from ear to ear. I felt the same way.

Since experiencing God’s answer to that simple request, my son and I have both prayed with more confidence and faith as we wait to see what He will do. We eagerly expect the Lord to move in mighty ways as we rely on His unchanging goodness and love.

Prayer:

• Pray for field workers to be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in their prayer lives and to be responsive as He guides them.

• Ask God to give children of field workers unique encounters with Him as they see doors open and hearts changed.
• Pray for the Gospel to become available in every language so that all peoples can read and understand Jesus’ saving grace.