“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Recently, my youth group and I were in DC for a mission trip and had an ‘ATL’ activity. AIM does a GREAT job in really allowing the Lord to lead.  The phrase 'ATL' does NOT mean Atlanta. It stands for "Ask The Lord" (love it!).  

One of the leaders and myself went off with part of our youth group to Union Station for our 'ATL' time.  We were closing in on the end of our activity when my students asked me to point some people out to them that may need prayer.  

So, here I am! Praying and asking the Lord to highlight people that need prayer. There was a man that stood out to me. At the same time, some of the students noticed a woman that they saw earlier in the day at the homeless breakfast we served.  

I noticed one of the other students walking in the direction of the man and I put my thumbs up as if to say, 'Yes, go to him,' while I went with the other students towards the woman. But then I noticed the student heading in the direction of the man went to the gentleman next to him instead.

This man continued to stay on my mind as I asked the Lord:
"Lord, We are here for the students to follow your lead; Are you saying you want ME to pray for him?"  

So, I approached the man and introduced myself to him and he introduced himself to me.  His name was Robbie and he was headed back home to Newborn, NC.  I felt the Lord tell me “Hope” and “Trust” for Robbie, so I asked if I could pray for him.  He agreed to allow me to pray and the Lord spoke through me as I prayed Proverbs 3:5-6 over him. I had my eyes closed as I was praying over Robbie, and when I concluded, I opened up my eyes to see him crying and puddles on the ground.

“Wow! Lord, you used me to minister to this gentleman.”

I am always in awe of how AWESOME our Lord is to use me, little Ken, to touch someone by being obedient.  

So you say 'ATL' why ....This is why:

To allow the Lord to use each of us for His Kingdom!!

Ken is the Middle School Youth Pastor at Celebration Church in Blountville, TN. His middle school group participated in our recent short term trip to Washington D.C. June 26 - July 1.