Several years ago, I stumbled across the idea of divine appointments. I found the thought intriguing, and have worked it into my spiritual journaling to some extent ever since. But recently, the idea has been on my mind more, and I’m wondering how I can use this concept more effectively in my life.

The whole concept of a divine appointment is based around the idea that God brings people into my life on a regular basis for a moment, and for a reason.

Let me give you an example.

A few days ago, I visited a local restaurant. My waitress apparently knew that I was a minister, even though I’ve never met her before. In the process of waiting on us, she shared a few struggles she was facing in her life, tearing up as she did so. She was really having a hard time. With problems with her boyfriend, her kids, and her finances, she was facing some tough times.

As we paid our check, she asked if we would pray for her over the coming days. Of course, we said yes.

Most of the time, these kinds of interactions come into our lives for a brief moment and then out again. We normally don’t think much about them beyond the moment itself.

But I’ve come to the conclusion that God has more in mind than just a few moments in a restaurant, or outside a store, or at a gas pump. I believe God may be bringing many of these people into my life for that moment to teach me to pray for them more intentionally.

I call these moments divine appointments, based on the idea I received from a seminar I sat in by Dean Trune, of Impact Prayer Ministries. That seminar took place more than ten years ago, but this idea has been ruminating in my mind ever since.

When these occur, I write them down in my journal. Often it’s nothing more than a first name and a brief synopsis of the prayer request. But that way, I have a reminder to pray for that individual, and I can remember long after the initial contact is over.

I do this because I’m certain that God intentionally brings people into my life to interact with me at all different levels. Sometimes, those interactions lead to friendships that last years or decades. Other times, they may be only moments long. But either way, he has intentionally brought them into my life.

When these moments happen, I have learned to grab the opportunity before it passes. After all, I may be the best chance that person has of seeing Jesus today, and I want to bring honor to him, and represent him clearly to that person.

The Bible tells us frequently to pray for one another. From examples in the Old Testament to instructions in the New, we are to be lifting one another up before God. James 5:16 tells us point blank to pray for one another, as does Ephesians 6:18. God desires for us to be concerned for others, and bring them before him regularly.

Plus, as these encounters happen, it plants a seed in the life of the individual that God has put in my path. I have the opportunity to show that person that Jesus is real, and that he wants a relationship with each of us. They may or may not have already made a decision for Christ in their lives. If not, this may just help them to see his love. And if they have, then God has just used me to encourage a brother or sister. Perhaps they needed just that at that particular time.

And so, most of the time I pray. And some of the time, I get to follow up with that person. Sometimes I don’t. In the case of my waitress connection, I don’t know if we will ever see her again. She moved back to California, where she came here from, and I have nothing more than a first name, and a need to pray for.

Will it make a difference? I don’t know. But I do know that I am continuing to hold it before the one that can make a difference. That’s all I can do. And I can rest assured that it is enough.

Question: Do you stop and consider those fleeting contacts that God brings into your life? What do you do about it? You can leave a comment by clicking here.