Sunday, December 8 (November 25), 2024
24th Sunday after Pentecost
Eph. 2:14-22; Lk. 8:41-56

Having fallen at the feet of the Lord, openly, before the crowd of people, Jairus asked Him to heal his daughter ─ and the Lord heard him.  He did not say anything but stood up and immediately went to Jairus’ house.  On His way there a woman with the issue of blood was also healed; likewise, she had prayed to the Lord, though she did not call Him openly, did not fall prostrate before Him [Lk. 8:41-44].  It was a secret prayer of her heart which the Lord heard.  Unnoticed by the crowd, she called unto Him from within her heart; the Lord heard that call and gave her what she has been asking for.

The woman’s prayer is basically the same as Jairus’, though there are certain differences between them.  The Lord always heeds to such prayers filled with faith, with hope and fidelity.  Someone would say: “I also pray fervently, on and on, ─ and still to no avail!”  But take a careful look into your prayer, compare it to the prayers of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood, and you will see the reason why.  If you are praying openly, prostrate before the Lord, like Jairus, or if you are praying secretly, standing in the crowd, like the woman, no later than the genuine prayer is enkindled in your heart it will reach the Lord and attract his mercy.

The question is, how to achieve that intensity of prayer.  And the answer is very simple: work hard.  Work hard, and you will see it coming.  Lifting up your heart, tuning it to the Lord, is the purpose behind prayer services and church rites, and all those who consciously follow this course of prayer do, indeed, achieve their goal.

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