July 21st, 2025. Jacó, Costa Rica.

On our mission trip, each day brought a new opportunity to share the Gospel. We’d split into teams, hit the streets, and before stepping out, we’d always pray, asking the Lord for clues… breadcrumbs leading us to those ready to receive His Good News. This particular day, our team received two striking clues: a daisy (white petals, yellow center) and a woman with a three-year-old son in “darkness.”

As we cruised through the main street in Jaco, our vehicle suddenly slowed to a halt. And there, to our right, was a young woman. Her shirt was covered in… that’s right… daisies! Without a moment’s hesitation, our team of five practically leaped from the car, surrounding her. I can only imagine what must have been racing through her mind at that moment!

Knowing, deep in my gut, that she was “the one,” but unsure how to begin, I blurted out, “I know this might sound strange, but I believe the Lord Jesus Christ has a message for you.” 

After receiving a strange and confused look, we then gently asked her, “Are you going through a dark and difficult time?” Her silent nod confirmed our suspicions. Remembering our clues, we pressed on: “Are you a mother?” Another nod. “And do you have a three-year-old son?”

A brief pause, a flicker of uncertainty as she considered her child’s age, and then her eyes widened, round as large pepperoni pizzas. Speechless, she nodded again. She couldn’t believe we knew these things about her. 

In that powerful moment, a river of words from the Lord flowed through us. Words of encouragement and comfort:

“Do you know Jesus Christ?” we asked. She shook her head no.

“Of all the people in the entire world,” we continued, our voices filled with conviction and compassion, “the Lord sees you. He sent us all the way from the United States just to tell you He loves you and yearns for a relationship with you.” 

We then shared the profound message of the Gospel. Knowing in my soul that she was a single mother, we spoke prophetically, describing repentance, faith, and baptism as a sacred marriage ceremony with Jesus Christ. That if she accepted His proposal, her life would be completely renewed and restored. We told her that all sin and darkness could be left behind, and that a new life, a new relationship with the perfect husband, Jesus, lay before her.

Each of us took turns praying for her, asking the Holy Spirit to fill her with His profound peace and comforting presence. Before we left, we gave her the contact information for our house church in Esterillos, Costa Rica.

Just recently, we received an incredible update. She reached out to our House Church Pastors with a message that brought tears to our eyes: “My name is Arelys… if it’s okay, I would love to meet you… The truth is that your arrival that day was something very nice. You gave me encouragement, and I felt a little peace and tranquility when you prayed for me.”

Selah. 

Practicing the Prophetic

How could we have ever known that Arelys was in a dark place, a single mother with a three-year-old son? Only by the Holy Spirit, who searches the hearts and minds of all. Only by prophecy. 

A few weeks ago, I wrote about speaking in tongues as “not speaking to men but to God, uttering mysteries in the Spirit.” Prophecy, in contrast, is God speaking through us, revealing mysteries by the Spirit for the upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation of others (1 Corinthians 14:2-3).

The Apostle Paul commands us in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to “Pursue love, and earnestly desire (ἐπιθυμία) the spiritual gifts, that you may prophesy.” The Greek word for “earnestly desire” (epithumia) literally means to lust after or to covet. These are strong words! In other words, how badly do you want this gift? Ask, and you shall receive.

Prophecy is powerful because it reveals the secrets of people’s hearts and lives, leads them to fall on their faces in worship of God, and convinces them that He is truly among us (1 Corinthians 14:25).

What an amazing gift of the Spirit!

Ask the Lord for it. Wait for it. And when He gives you words for other people, practice this gift with all humility and obedience. Just be genuine; don’t be hasty to release a word, but ask the Lord clarifying questions. 

Once you feel peace about a prophetic word for someone else, or have received confirmation to share it, I’ve found it’s helpful to submit the word to that person by asking them questions and allowing them space to answer, instead of immediately declaring, “Thus saith the Lord!” 

For example, you might ask:

Are you going through a dark time right now?

Are you a mother?

Do you have a three-year-old son?

Do you know that Jesus sees and loves you?