PRAYER IS THE GRASP OF FAITH

A woman is struggling in the icy waters of the north Atlantic. She is on the last of her strength when she sees a lifeboat from the sunken ship headed her way. When the boat is near enough they throw her a life saver. In wild desperation she grabs it and is saved. That is a parable of faith.

A woman who has had an issue of blood for twelve years sees Jesus and says to herself, “If I can only touch Him, I will be healed.” She sneaks up behind and touches the hem of His garment, and is immediately healed. Jesus stops the crowd and draws her out. “Woman,” He tells her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” But at that time Jesus was hurrying to the house of a man whose daughter was at the point of death. Now people arrive from the house of the man saying they are too late. His daughter is dead. Jesus turns to the man saying, “Do not fear. Only believe.” Jesus is not telling him to have a positive attitude. He is telling him to trust Him.

Faith is the grasp of prayer. It is clinging to Jesus. The drowning woman was not saved by grasping at the water or the air. She could not hold to the sinking ship and be saved. She had to grab hold of the life preserver to keep from drowning. Jesus is the only life saver. Take hold of Him in faith.