?Rev. Dr. Nelda Barrette Murriane, First United Methodist Church of Kennedale
Many of the miracles we read about in the Bible came about because of persistence. The story of the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. The doctors could do nothing to help her. She was considered an ?unclean? woman by the people of her community and was often ignored.? {{more: continue …}}?If she came near people, they would move away from her to avoid contamination. But one day she heard about Jesus! She knew even if she had to crawl, she would not be denied the opportunity to at least touch the hem of His garment. Who would know? And, maybe, if she touched Him, she would finally be healed.?
She quickly let go, no doubt overwhelmed by the warmth and power of God?s love that began to flow through her body and heal what was wrong with her. She felt the power of the Lord because of her persistence ? and He felt her! Jesus felt power leave His body and stopped everything to find out who had touched Him.
Luke 8:47 (ESV) says, ?And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.?
Fasting and prayer are the most important aspects in persistence.The enemy hates it when we fast and pray persistently. Here are three things you might not realize about the importance of persistence:
- When we persistently pray and fast, it brings us to a place where God moves powerfully in your life. This woman received her healing when she persistently pursued Jesus.
- When you persistently pray and fast, it causes God to feel your need. He wants us to turn to Him for everything. He will supply all of our needs. Just as He felt the touch of the woman who needed healing.
- When you persistently fast and pray, it breaks the forces of resistance that have been operating in your life. The woman had been bleeding for years with no relief, but her persistence broke through the forces of resistance in her life.
No matter how long you?ve been in need of healing, for your mind, your body or your soul, it?s not too late to start for a miracle. If your family is in shambles, be assured that it?s not too late for God to intervene through fasting and praying. If you need to experience a breakthrough increase in any area of your life, be persistent in bringing it before the Lord. Be persistent in prayer and believe.
Thanks be to God!
“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!
See you on Sunday!
Peace,
First United Methodist Church Facebook
?
