Does anything in your life seem impossible? How do we pray for things like that? In this simple story we see a paradigm for praying about our most difficult dilemmas. Leprosy resisted cure in the ancient world. The NLT translation says this man had an “advanced case” of leprosy. I am not a doctor but I would think a regular case would be horrific. Some who suffered would not have even asked. They might have thought, “What is the point of praying?”
What can we learn from this man’s prayer? First he prayed with deep humility. I suppose God can hear us in any posture we may take. What does this man’s posture tell us? He bowed, face to the ground. This posture of a servant shows his complete and utter dependence on Jesus. A larger dog growled at our puppy Paisley recently and she immediately rolled on her back showing submission. God does not want to frighten us, but if we knew him in all of his glory, we would surely show respect. Second this man prayed with tenacity as he “begged him.” As God’s children, we do not have to beg God, but we certainly see the man’s intensity. Third, he prayed with profound faith. He recognized Jesus’ ability without presuming to know God’s purpose. “If you are willing, you can . . .” Do we believe that God is able? This man had no difficulty trusting Christ’s strength.
Good news: Jesus was willing to heal the man. He who spoke the world into existence spoke a word and the leprosy left. Not even leprosy can stay when our God speaks. Many of you joined a twenty-four hour prayer for our friend Marlene Grant recently. We knew she needed miraculous intervention so we called on the God who is able. God is answering our prayers for this great servant of our Lord. Please continue to pray. With our God all things are possible. Pray with that knowledge.
