Mark 1:40-41 –“On one occasion, a leper came and threw himself down in front of Jesus, pleading for his healing,  saying, “You have the power to heal me right now IF ONLY you really want to!” 41 Being deeply moved with tender compassion,  Jesus reached out and touched the skin of the leper and told him, “Of course I want you to be healed-so now, be cleansed!”

I was awakened again at 3:33, which has happened a dozen times over the past few months.  Immediately, Jeremiah 33:3 entered my thoughts.  I sensed that my journey was to examine every 3:33 or 33:3 in the Bible.  Where that takes me, I don’t know, but I anticipate something revelatory and therapeutic spiritually, mentally, and physically to transpire.

As I read Mark 1, a scene I could visualize caused me to begin weeping. The leper (always a type of sin) was so serious about being free that he pleaded for healing.  His statement has confused believers for ages.  He said, “Lord, You have the power, and if You really want to, you can set me free.”   Jesus always wants to!  Sometimes, there has to be persistence, a penitent heart, and determination on our part.  But He always wants to!  Knowing that He can brings us on the threshold of breakthrough.   Knowing He is willing invites us in!

Mark 2 illustrates that in the story of the four men carrying the paralyzed man. They accepted the burden of pressing through for him.  Their efforts were blocked, but they refused to allow the hindrances to deter them.  They persisted, and in 2:5, we read, “When Jesus saw the extent of their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, my son, your sins are forgiven.”    Jesus saw their faith, not the faith of the one in need. 

The Lord challenged my heart with this. Too often, we pray sincere but easy prayers for others, and then we go on with our lives unaffected by the outcome. These men refused to utter a sincere but passive prayer. They took action to get him to Jesus. 

• He was afflicted and could not physically get there.  
• He may not have had the emotional resolve to get there.  
• His faith may have plunged into the darkness of doubt and hopelessness, but his friends fought the faith fight for him.  
• Jesus saw Their faith.

I want to be one of those men who will fight the fight of faith for another.   I want to be so doggedly determined to get the needy (no matter the need) into the presence of Jesus.

I pray, “Forgive me, Lord, for praying sincere but unaffected prayers.   Teach me and inspire me to become a warrior in prayer!  Please help me to refuse to quit.  Amen!”

Have a fantastic day, and be determined to press into the fullness of provision of God’s Word!