A Deliberate Pursuit

"A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, 'Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.' But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.'”--Luke 8:43-46, New Living Translation

There are many relevant lessons on prayer we can learn from this amazing woman. One is this:

When life is pressing in on every side with people, with things that must be done and invitations to do even more, with the non-stop noise of public opinion on just about everything, and with your heart and voice longing to march to the beat of a totally different and Perfect drummer, resist the current of despair by digging in and holding on. But don't stop there...

The way to fight just going with the flow because it seems to be the easiest way to survive another day is to purpose first thing (and repeat as often as necessary) to deliberately reach out and grab onto the only Hope worth staking your life to, all over again...
One Word.
One song.
One groan.
Just...one.
Whatever it takes and whatever you can muster. To do so knowing that it's not just some religious exercise or hope-for-the-best maneuver, but because of this:

"Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who has created these?
He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing or lacks anything.

Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, My way and my lot are hidden from the Lord, and my right is passed over without regard from my God?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength, causing it to multiply and making it to abound.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;

But those who wait for the Lord, who expect, look for, and hope in Him, shall change and renew their strength and power;

They shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."

"Don't mindlessly drift through life on the American narcotic of busyness. If you try to seize the day, the day will eventually break you. Seize the corner of His garment and don't let go until He blesses you. He will reshape the day." --Paul Miller, "A Praying Life" 


[Adapted from October 2016]