As I was passing and praying over him, this homeless man walking by himself under the bridge suddenly thrust his right arm straight up into the air! I smiled as I continued praying. Looking in my rearview mirror, I could see his arm never went down as he continued walking. His spirit recognized that the spirit of God had just entered into him, and his whole being lit up in a glory he may or may not have understood. But his spirit sure recognized God! There he was, walking down the street with his hand lifted up to the heavens, feeling God’s amazing presence overflowing throughout his entire body and spirit!

I broke out in this huge smile, my own spirit was glowing!  Once again, I was truly amazed at how great our God is and how mindful he is to man! Here is a man, obviously in great need, and the Great I Am knew right where he was that morning and his needs, and had asked me to pray for him! What a powerful, spiritual understanding when I knew this man didn’t even know I was praying for him, yet his spirit was answering to the cries of my heartfelt prayers for his needs and his relationship with Christ! His spirit had recognized GOD!

I’ve often struggled with how to help the homeless. Do we give them our money, as they hold out their signs? We all see the homeless in our travels, and aren’t we each tempted to judge them? Perhaps there is a nice 10 speed bike next to them, or they are sipping on thermos of hot coffee, or maybe they are dressed in decent clothing, or look healthy and able to work.

I, too, have asked the Holy Spirit to show me if they were truly in desperate need or if they are out to scam passersby. Once, right after this prayer, I witnessed a young woman finish up her busy day of panhandling for money then jump in a nice car with five other people as she was picked up from her “work.” But truthfully, I don’t believe that’s where God wants our focus. Although Jesus always instructed us in the importance of knowing the difference between good and evil, we mustn’t forget we are called to serve a higher purpose and to help the afflicted. I believe that includes spiritual as well as physical needs. When it gets right down to it, friends, whether they are honest or dishonest, only God truly knows. He will judge this. But this is what the spirit gave to me, “Either way, honest or dishonest,”  I heard the spirit speak softly to me, “Judy, they still are in desperate need of me, pray for them!”

You never cease to amaze me, my God, how much you care! You alone know every one of your children so well. You know our exact needs, and are so loving to reach out to our spirits and respond to our desperate needs.