When I lived in Africa I often saw people who were suffering from leprosy. I had no fear of embracing them and praying for them. When I visited Rangoon, Burma, for a month I stayed in a leprosarium for three days and two nights. In all my contact with lepers I always found them to be loving and humble followers of Christ. Jesus loved lepers too, and in one story from Matthew’s Gospel, “2 a man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and asked Him: ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing. Be made clean!’ Immediately his skin disease was cleansed’” Matthew 8:2 & 3.
This story touched me because Jesus was never afraid to pray for people who were sick. And the faith of this leper who never questioned the power of Jesus to heal him, that also has remained with me forever. The question the leper asks Jesus is the key: Is healing me within Your Divine plan for my life and for the world? Are you willing to heal me?
Ever since I first read this story I always included in my prayers for the sick with asking God to heal — if healing this individual for whom I am praying fits into the plan and the will of God! This is exactly the reason why we always conclude our prayers with words such as these: “Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.” “In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.” We always pray, concluding that what we desire the most is that our prayer fits into the plan and the will of God. There is nothing more important that you and I follow the will of God. We pray this way and we should live this way — doing God’s will!
So when you come to prayer in the presence of God and His Spirit calls you to pray for something or someone, remember to conclude your prayer in the hope that God answers your prayer — IF YOU ARE WILLING.
This is so important that when Jesus taught us to pray he included these words for us to pray: “May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality”
1 Thessalonians 4:3.
“If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” John 7:17.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33.
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