Audacious Prayer

Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Mark 7:25-28 ESV

At first, Jesus’ words may seem a little harsh. But what He was really doing was setting the stage, signaling to the disciples His plans to include the Gentiles in His all-encompassing gift of salvation.  The Syrophoenician woman grasped this truth long before the disciples ever would. And Jesus honored that.

The thing that stands out to me in this text is the woman’s incredible faith. She pursued Jesus, knowing she was one of the ‘least’ yet fully expecting Him to heal her daughter. She’d obviously seen and heard about all the people He’d healed, so based on what she knew about Him, she came to Him with faith, humility, and hope. Her faith was duly rewarded; her daughter was healed as soon as Jesus spoke the word.

Let me ask you a question: do you pursue Jesus, knowing you are unworthy of His grace, yet fully expecting His hand upon your life? Do you fall on your knees before Him and pray, daring to ask for a miracle? God honors our audacious prayers. I know because I’ve witnessed it over and over again.

Thought: “Prayer delights God’s ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.” ~Thomas Watson