Trombone Praya

20-something-year old Tristan approached me while I was packing up the other day.
“Wow I’ve never seen anyone busk with a trombone”
“Yeah there aren't enough of us out there” I said

It turns out Tristan was an ex trombonist, so I offered him a go on mine. He played, then I played; we ended up chatting for quite a while. We talked about music and busking and what we were doing with our lives, it was all very pleasant. Then he dropped a bomb on me.
“Hey” he said casually “do you mind if I pray for you?”

Tristan was by no means the first person to ask me such a thing while I’ve been busking. I’ve had people throw money in my case and say “Jesus loves you”, I had a woman whisper in my ear “always play for the lord our saviour”, I’ve been given books and pamphlets and have had homeless people with stale beer breath yell bible verses at me. I don’t generally mind depending on how much of my time they take up- they’re all well meaning people.

For some reason Tristan caught me off guard. I told him it was fine if he prayed for me, it couldn’t hurt right? I assumed he’d do it later, in his own time. How wrong I was. He stood facing me, less than a metre away, shut his eyes and said:

“Dear Lord thankyou for this chance meeting I’ve had with Maya. I know there is a reason our paths have crossed today. Father, thankyou for reminding me of my love of music, I pray that I can use it as a way to reach more people so that they might understand your amazing love. Lord I pray that you will give Maya a clear vision for her life.”

I was starting to feel uncomfortable now, he was standing awfully close and we were in the middle of a very busy street.

"Father thank you for the carefree summer you have given Maya, where she was able to busk and travel. Let her know Lord, that your love is great for her and no matter what she does with her life your love is unconditional. I pray that we can love and serve you as you have done for us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"

He slowly opened his eyes and smiled.
“Cool, thanks man”