If I would but have Faith

A certain woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years spent all that she had, and the physicians could not heal her. When she heard of Jesus she said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” When she touched his garment the blood stopped and she felt whole. Jesus immediately felt virtue go out of him and asked, “Who touched me?” There were people all around Jesus, all wanting to be healed and the disciples wondered why he would notice one person touching him. (Mark 5:25-29)

It makes me think of the power of prayer. Jesus is not in our mist that we could now reach out and touch his garments, but we can touch him in spirit by the power of prayer. Think of all the millions and millions of prayer request he gets daily. Think of all the rote prayers among the sincere prayers that might be compared to the curious in the throng. Yes, I have been guilty of these same kinds of utterances, as if my request might be answered because of repetition.  A prayer of, what would thou have me do, show me how I need to change the way I look at this situation. Or a prayer of soften MY heart that I may learn thy will would be more effective. If I would be a do’er not a whiner my prayers might be answered faster.

This woman knew that the crowd around Christ would be great and she didn’t ask for a public display of her faith. If I could touch but the hem of his garment (Matt 14:36) I will be healed, she said. And when he asked who touched him, imagine her astonishment that he had noticed. Then trembling she came and fell down before him and confessed. “And he said unto her. Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole, go in peace, and be whole of the plague.”

It is our faith that makes us whole, that heals us, and brings miracles into our lives. May we all grow in faith on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray in his holy name.