“Some men came, bringing to Jesus a
paralyzed man, carried by four of them.” Mark 2:3
Over the past few days, our family has been praying for friends
in harm’s way. While the weekend headlines
here focused on the NFL playoffs and the President’s guests at his upcoming
speech, many in the world were reeling from the aftermath of recent terror
attacks and the fear of what might come tomorrow—or today.
As Boko Haram continued its violent sweep across central
Africa, we prayed for missionaries in Niger literally running for their lives
on Saturday night, hiding with their three young children outside their village
and begging God for grace. In a
different part of the country, other friends listened and watched in terror as
rioting extremists burned churches, hotels, and an orphanage in their town. Though their home and school were spared,
their hearts are heavy and in need of strength and wisdom as they move forward.
These brothers and sisters, and many more like them around
the world and across the street, are in situations which cripple them with
uncertainty and paralyze them with fear, and we are blessed to be the friends who
can pick up their mats and carry them to Jesus.
The way may seem crowded with pressing tasks and responsibilities,
but clear a path and do what it takes to take them there. Climb to the roof, tear away the tiles, and lower
them (or, rather, lift them) to the Lord.
Yes, God knows before we tell Him. Yes, God cares more than we ever could, and,
yes, God is already at work when we say our first word, but there is something
powerful and precious about the privilege of praying for a friend in need. When the four guys in Capernaum brought the
paralyzed man to Jesus, He did more than they dared dream possible—He healed the
man’s legs and restored the man’s heart.
This same, unchanging God will “do
more than we can ask or imagine” if we will but take the time to intercede.
Carrying others to Jesus is never a burden but a blessing. Pick your friends up in prayer and don’t stop
until you set them before the Savior.
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