Hope

Prayers of Restoration

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When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  John 11:44

And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:34-35

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. Mark 5:41-42

 Jesus never prayed for bread, He thanked His Father for it and the bread was multiplied. Jesus’ prayers were never for His own provision. He prayed and restored the sea to calm when the disciples were in fear.  He prayed and the blind man’s sight was restored. The entire ministry of Jesus was about His prayers of restoration for others.

How differently might our own prayers be if we prayed as Jesus did. Prayers of restoration might be for a neighbor or even a stranger God sends our way. Prayers of restoration don’t need to focus on our desires but on God’s. Prayers of reskimg2486toration are like the stone jars of water being transformed into wine at His command. When our prayers are poured out and given for others then the miracle will happen. When we pray for others then our plain water prayers turn red with the restoring life of Christ!

 

Then God Answers

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And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour

Matthew 15:27-28

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When Jesus said, “Great is your faith!” it is interesting to see that she had two kinds of faith operating here at the same time. The first faith said, “Jesus can heal my daughter.” While the second, “He wants to heal my daughter.”.

Most of us when we are praying believe that God is able to grant our request. God’s ability is tied directly to His existence. If there is a God He is certainly able to do anything. But for us to have the great faith of this woman we must also pass in the dark testing so then we will know His true joy when the ray of hope breaks through

In spite of His silence she continued to believe that He was listening. In spite of the discouragement by His disciples she continued to ask. Finally in the face of seeming refusal she continued to believe that Jesus was truly willing to give her the help that she needed.

The source of our answer to our plea for grace is unfailing but it often lies at the bottom of the well of humility. Will you and me, like this woman accept grace on any terms. Will we be willing to take the lowest place possible? It is not that God is out to humiliate us but He is inviting us to a deeper fellowship with Him, who came as a servant of all!

 

Fifth Christmas Gift

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Fifth Gift of Christmas – HOPE

Matthew 12:20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory

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Not long ago a home on the next street of our neighborhood was condemned by the city. It had the unfortunate luck to be near a large storm sewer project gone awry. Somehow with all the digging, smashing and scraping going on its foundation had become weakened. In order to move the construction forward, large equipment was brought in and in just a few days the house was demolished and trucked away.

Is there someone in your world who is a lot like this small unfortunate home? They have gotten a little too close to important building projects. The heavy equipment, the digging and smashing going on while others nearby are reaching their goals has weakened their footings.  A lifetime of planning, years of family dinners and memories of children playing can be wiped away in just a few days or even hours.

Jesus said he would never break bruised hearts of put out the candles of flickering hope. When we give to bind up bruised dreams we are carrying on His work in a wounding world. When we help to light candle flames by pointing them to His gift of hope we are reaching a goal far greater than our own!