I joined the intercessors at the weekly Prayer Room Ministry this evening and I was tremendously blessed by the brothers and sisters who were present. The pastoral staff are rostered to attend this time of prayer and it was my turn tonight – so I went there with a heart to minister to these intercessors. However, it was I who left the prayer room feeling absolutely ministered to. Anointing flowed freely through the powerful time of prayer and I take comfort knowing that Grace AG has a team of faithful intercessors. I thank God for them and I am inspired to lead our weekly PUSH to a whole ‘nother level.

At the end of the hour-long session, they prayed for me and a number of them released words of accuracy and prophecy into my life. For instance, I know God has called me into this season of youth ministry to lead, preach and mentor – And I kept hearing the intercessors, most of whom I did not know before tonight, pray these exact few words over me. It was like when these words were verbalised, it amplified in my head – so imagine the throbbing volume in my mind! I must say that it was an extremely faith-building session tonight to say the least; it was as if God was reassuring me of the specific things I needed to do during this time of service.

But the event that takes the cake – and the highlight of my evening – was when the chief intercessor closed in prayer. As she closed, she released scripture to me, which practically got me grinning from ear to ear. I couldn’t recall which version she used, so I’ll just show four different versions of Deuteronomy 33:24-25.

New International Version – About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.”

New Living Translation – Moses said this about the tribe of Asher: “May Asher be blessed above other sons; may he be esteemed by his brothers; may he bathe his feet in olive oil. May the bolts of your gates be of iron and bronze; may you be secure all your days.”

English Standard Version – And of Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.”

New American Standard Bible – Of Asher he said, “More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, And may he dip his foot in oil. Your locks will be iron and bronze, And according to your days, so will your leisurely walk be.”

Now, get this – I checked with her if she knew my baptism name. She said she only knew that I was “Joey A. Tan” – according to the name on the roster given to her. She thought it was a “happening” thing to do to have that “A.” in my name. I told her that I chose to be baptised as “Asher” in 2005 because of its befitting meaning – blessed, joyful and happy – I felt these adjectives truly represented my personality, especially “joyful and happy”.

The funny thing is, I’ve always skimmed through the word “blessed” and gave its significance little thought; maybe it was because it was such a common word. But tonight, I found new insights into my baptism name from a passage of scripture that I’ve never read before – even through my meticulous decision-making process of selecting a baptism name!

She was stunned and awed by the “coincidence”. I mean, of all names – there were 12 tribes of Israel! – she chose Asher! And from an obscure book like Deuteronomy – how often do you get people referring to Deuteronomy!? And she didn’t know me or my baptism name previously! Seriously, WHAT WERE THE CHANCES of that happening!?

I was extremely humbled by what the Holy Spirit was doing in my life tonight. So there I was, with my eyes shut, head bowed, sporting an ear-to-ear grin and whispering, “I love You, Lord” (almost instinctively and uncontrollably) again and again until she said finally said, “Amen”. Excuse me everybody, but WOW! – tonight was truly an extremely special and anointed experience which I will remember for the rest of my life each time I see my baptism name.

Tonight’s “coincidence” was five years in-the-making; I don’t know if you get this or if it even makes any sense at all, but it’s like the Lord omnipresently KNEW in 2010, that I would select “Asher” for myself way back in 2005. A jaw-dropping episode indeed – I’m stunned, baffled, astonished, amazed and absolutely dumbfounded. Thank You, dear Lord – Your grace is enough for me!

For now, I will be meditating upon those two seemingly obscure verses. I’m buzzing with anointed excitement.