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HEALING OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

Luke 18:1-8

 

In prayer – persevere.

 

HEALING OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN
 
Let us persevere in praying for others! The woman whose history we are now reading appeared at first to obtain nothing by her application to the Lord. On the contrary, our Lord’s reply was discouraging (Matt 15:24). But she did not give up in despair. She prayed on and did not faint. She pressed her case with ingenious claims. She would take no refusal. She pleaded for a few crumbs of mercy rather than none at all. And through this holy insistence she succeeded. At last she heard joyful words (Matt 15:28).
 
Perseverance in prayer is of great importance. Our hearts are apt to become cool and indifferent and to think that it is no use to draw near to God. Our hands soon hang down and our knees become faint. Satan is ever labouring to draw us off from prayers and filling our minds with reasons why we may give them up. These things are true with respect to all prayers, but they are especially true with intercessory prayers on behalf of others. It is always far more meager than it ought to be. It is often attempted for a little while and then left off. We see no immediate answer to our prayers. We see the persons for whose souls we pray going on still in sin. We draw the conclusion that it is useless to pray for them and allow our intercession to come to an end. But this woman prayed and did not give up in face of great discouragement. At last she went home rejoicing. Let us resolve by God’s grace to follow her example.
 
Do we pray for ourselves? Let us pray for others also. Let us beware of selfish prayers – prayers which are wholly taken up with our own affairs and in which there is no place for other souls besides our own. Let us name all we love before God continually. Let us pray for all – the worst, the hardest and the most unbelieving. Let us continue praying for them year after year in spite of their confirmed unbelief. While we live, let us pray for others.
 
THOUGHT: How many (relatives, neighbours, friends) do you name before God in heartfelt intercession?

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for not praying for those around me.

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