April 9th, 2021
Text: Luke 8:47
When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. (NRSV)
This text comes from the story of a woman who secretly reached out and touched Jesus while she was part of a large crowed. She had no intention of letting Jesus know that she needed healing or that she was reaching out for help. It was only after she realized that there was no way to “remain hidden”, she revealed what she had done.
This seems to be the story for a lot of us. We are willing to pray for others, we try and connect those who are hurting or sick with God, but, when it comes to our own situations, we keep them hidden. We don’t want to put our name on the prayer list, we don’t want to tell others about our needs so that they might pray for us. Instead, we remain hidden by the crowed and try to even hide our situation from Jesus, still all the time, hoping that things will get better. I have even heard people say that they don’t want to bother Jesus with their problems.
I don’t claim to understand the mystery of prayer. But I do know that time and time again, the Bible directs us to bring our concerns to other Christians so that they will lift up our burdens in prayer to God. There is power released when the followers of Jesus pray for one another.
Don’t hide in the crowed hoping that you might be able to secretly touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and be healed. Boldly enter the throne room of grace that has been opened to you through Jesus and lay your burdens before God. Boldly go to the other followers of Jesus and ask for prayer. There is power in the prayers of the faithful.
Pray with me:
God of love and God of healing draw me to you and to your faithful followers in my time of need that the power of prayer may heal my every need. AMEN.
When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. (NRSV)
This text comes from the story of a woman who secretly reached out and touched Jesus while she was part of a large crowed. She had no intention of letting Jesus know that she needed healing or that she was reaching out for help. It was only after she realized that there was no way to “remain hidden”, she revealed what she had done.
This seems to be the story for a lot of us. We are willing to pray for others, we try and connect those who are hurting or sick with God, but, when it comes to our own situations, we keep them hidden. We don’t want to put our name on the prayer list, we don’t want to tell others about our needs so that they might pray for us. Instead, we remain hidden by the crowed and try to even hide our situation from Jesus, still all the time, hoping that things will get better. I have even heard people say that they don’t want to bother Jesus with their problems.
I don’t claim to understand the mystery of prayer. But I do know that time and time again, the Bible directs us to bring our concerns to other Christians so that they will lift up our burdens in prayer to God. There is power released when the followers of Jesus pray for one another.
Don’t hide in the crowed hoping that you might be able to secretly touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and be healed. Boldly enter the throne room of grace that has been opened to you through Jesus and lay your burdens before God. Boldly go to the other followers of Jesus and ask for prayer. There is power in the prayers of the faithful.
Pray with me:
God of love and God of healing draw me to you and to your faithful followers in my time of need that the power of prayer may heal my every need. AMEN.
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