We pray for people each day at Daily Connect, our mid-day time to gather on Zoom to connect with each other and God. One of our regular attendees, Emily, asked us to pray for a friend in her apartment complex named Vanessa. Vanessa had been diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative neurological disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It is a horrible diagnosis. The disease eventually takes away one’s ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe.

We prayed close to daily for Vanessa and learned over time that she was a transgender woman. Through Emily, we learned that Vanessa had come back to Jesus, a surprise (to me at least) because I did not know that she was a Christ-follower. We learned the Vanessa had moved back to her family home. At one point, Emily—with Vanessa’s permission, forwarded Vanessa’s testimony to me.

Many days later, I began the intercessory prayer time at Daily Connect by praying for Vanessa. I believe the Holy Spirit was leading me because I prayed that she would experience a glorious end. I was picturing a divine encounter where heaven would open, and she would be drawn up into God’s loving embrace. All would be put to rights.

Two days later I learned that God had another answer to my prayers. One hour and ten minutes after I prayed Vanessa had a divine encounter. Here is that story.