Praise be to the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts me in all my troubles, so that I can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort I myself have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into my life, so also through Christ my comfort overflows. If I am distressed, it is for my comfort and salvation; if I am comforted, it will produce in me patient endurance of the same sufferings other Christians have suffered. Grace and peace will come to me from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for my sins to rescue me from the present evil age, according to the will of my God and Father, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. [2Corinthians 1:3-7; Galatians 1:3-5]
Heavenly Father, it was recorded by Mark [through Peter most likely] that a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years determined in her heart that all she needed to do was touch Christ’s garment to be healed. Her faith, according to Christ, is what made her whole. Then, upon hearing the report that Jairus’ daughter had died turned to him and said, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” Christ then went and brought the daughter back to life. I know that even the greatest men of faith did not always see healing or miracles all the time. I love the story about how Elisha accomplished much for God, yet he could not heal everyone. Some questioned if he had lost his faith. Yet when a corpse was dropped on his bones, the soldier came alive and ran with those who had dropped him. There was still healing from God in his bones. When it comes to faith, I need to learn to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego right before they were thrown in the fiery furnace, “If it is to be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” Even if God does not heal, rescue, or remove me from trials, I will serve God instead of giving in to the foolishness of man and his ideas and taunting of my faith.