Enjoy your coffee, can I pray for you?
That’s the question we asked college students on a recent trip to the Auburn University campus.
During our 5 day disciple making workshop at Curtis Sergeant’s Metacamp we were encouraged to put our training into action. Since we were so close to the Auburn University campus it was a great place to let our light shine.
My partner, Matt and I immediately felt like most of the college students could be our children. Old and out of place, we decided to do something spontaneous but natural. Upon entering the campus’ Starbucks coffee shop we decided to purchase all the students coffee. Matt had a large credit on his starbucks card and I also provided payment credit at the other register.
It was so neat to watch the surprised expressions on the students faces as the cashier told them that someone had already “paid their coffee forward”.
The students quickly realized that we were the ones who were providing the free coffee because we were busy praying for most of their fellow students as they received their drink.
What did we pray for?
That’s exactly what we asked the students.
How can I pray for you?
Many students quickly affirmed,
Pray for my family, pray for my classes, and pray for me to get closer to God.
One highlight was the opportunity to pray for one of the Auburn girl’s basketball coaches. When we offered to pray for her and the team she quickly accepted and bowed her head as everyone watched.
Another life changing moment came as we were finishing up. Two of the baristas asked us to pray for them too. One of them said,
The atmosphere here has completely changed, pray with me so I can have that kind of change in my life!
God wants us to be a light to the world and sometimes we need to be creative to do it.
Christ has really convicted me of something, “If I can go all over the World to share Christ, I had better share Him where I live also”
I just shared my experience. I hope it encourages you to do the same.
p.s. I know this letter is going out to Alabama and Auburn fans alike (I love the Auburn Tiger campus and love winning with Roll Tide)
That prompts me to give a list of “don’t mess with” priorities for people who live in Alabama:
Thanks for partnering with us as we make disciples, plant churches, reach nations for Christ and provide a coffee and a prayer to a few unsuspecting people during our mission!