Forty Days of Prayer -- Day 40
Read: Mark 5: 35 – 42a
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”) Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was 12 years old).
Wow! Here we are at the end of our 40-day prayer journey. How in the world am I going to wrap up such a powerful season we’ve enjoyed together? I’m overwhelmed with the idea of it.
I’m thinking about those of you that have experienced mighty moves of God during this journey. You’ve seen God move in BIG ways, so you don’t this to end. Why would you? Let’s pitch our tents on this “mountain” and stay here forever.
I’m also thinking about those of you that devoted much time and energy to praying through your impossible prayer list with little to no results. You’re probably watching this end with frustration. Our Enemy will always lead us to anxiously wonder WHY God didn’t move or why He hasn’t moved yet.
Maybe there are others that are still uncertain about what this was all about. God is God, and He does what He wants, right? Possibly there are some of us wondering why we would prioritize so much prayer and asking when He’s in charge of His decisions and knows best anyway.
There’s a little of me in each of these scenarios. And, so…. How do I end?
Don’t be afraid; just believe.
Several years ago, I read a marriage article titled, “Just throw strikes!” The author was using Little League to teach a lesson. If you’ve ever sat on a baseball field once the kids are pitching, you’ll hear lots and lots of “Just throw strikes,” aimed at the pitcher. The interesting thing is that more times than not the sweet child on the mound is actually trying to do exactly that. I mean, no pitcher has ever stepped off the mound to say, “Strikes? Is that what I’m supposed to throw?”
The advice isn’t super helpful. It would be more helpful to give tips on HOW to actually throw the strike. No doubt, the pitcher would throw it if he could.
I feel like Jesus’ statement, “Don’t be afraid, just believe,” is like that. See…. That’s what I’m TRYING to do. I just need to know how to do it.
Ladies, there’s really only One who can teach us how to do that. It’s Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. And, the way He teaches us is through our own personal prayer journeys.
So, today is day 40. But, day 40 doesn’t have to be the end. You keep on praying, believing, wrestling, fighting, and asking. Feel free to turn back to day 1 in this book and call it day 41. What a great tool this has been, and Jesus will continue using it. Don’t give up on your impossible prayer list and miracle sightings.
Like Kit, I’ve seen too much to stop believing Him now. I also don’t want to stop with the belief I have now. I want to press on in the journey. There’s more to be done, so there’s more to be prayed.
Your day 40 challenge from me is to fill up the comment space with your favorite miracle sighting from these 40 days. I’d love for you to start with I won’t be afraid, and I will believe, because I’ve seen God……..
It’s been a joy and a delight to partner with you in this prayer walk. Thank you for your perseverance.
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3
Dear God,
I don’t have many words today. You are good, and we are in awe. I know you aren’t finished with us yet, so I’m praying for MORE. Teach us how to pray without fear and with unshakable belief. We confess that You are the only One that can teach us and so we are desperate for You. Thank you for Your faithfulness. Amen.
