because jesus is enough - no words needed

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2c0cdb6a/because-jesus-is-enough-no-words-needed

Have you ever bowed your head to pray, but could not find the right words...  

You wanted to pray - to connect with God - wanted the heart connection with your Heavenly Father, but you just did not know how to put into words what was in

your heart ... you just weren't sure what to pray.  

Most times, we know what we ought to pray, asking God for healing, comfort, peace, etc.  But there are times when it is difficult to ascertain the will of God, so what then?  Or perhaps we are just too sick or too worn down to even form words, how about then?

Let me take you back again to Mark's gospel, this time chapter 5*, for the story of a desperate woman.  I love this story because it is so simple. I am that woman.

What the woman does, any one of us could do.  

Here's the setup: This woman has been sick for twelve years, and has used all her money on doctors, unable to cure her.  The King James Version describes her as having 'an issue of blood', which means she has been menstruating all that time. In first-century Jewish culture, that makes her an outcast because she is unclean, and cannot even participate in ceremonial cleansing to get clean.  Therefore, she cannot go to the temple or the marketplace; she cannot touch anyone or they too will be unclean.  

Desperately lonely and beaten down, she hears that Jesus is coming to town so she goes to find him, knowing he can heal her--why, she has heard the stories about the healing rabbi!  'There he is!' she excitedly says to herself.  As usual, the crowds are pressing around him, so she lunges to touch the hem of his garment as he passes by.  He stops, turns around and asks 'who touched me?'  His disciples say, 'Lord, look around you--lots of people touched you.'  'No, I felt the power leave my body.'  (You see, when Jesus performed miracles, he felt the power pass out of his body--he was fully aware that healing was taking place.)  'Who touched me?'

The woman answers, 'I did--I touched you.'  She must have thought he was going to shame her then, that she should be so bold . . . but no, not Jesus.  He looks at her, probably like no one has looked at her in a long time, and says, 'Woman, your faith has made you whole.' 

At that moment, her life was fully restored. Jesus gave her back her life!

I remember a particular time in my life decades ago when I wasn't sure what to pray . . . sure, I wanted God's will, but what was it?  It was then that this story came alive for me.  Though I could quote Scripture aplenty, it was not Scripture I needed; I needed a direct connection to God.  It was then  I became that woman in the marketplace, reaching out to touch the hem of the garment of the only One who knew what I needed and could meet me there.  

Breathing a simple "Jesus!" a one-word prayer, I pictured myself reaching out to touch the hem of his garment because I knew he could change things.  Yes, he alone could make me whole!

I've taught this powerful story many times, sometimes bringing a piece of linen fabric that may be similar to that of Jesus' garment for folks to cut a little piece to hold--something tangible to represent  their faith , and  his power.  

The picture above moves me mightily, and I love looking at it, imagining that day in the marketplace.  The beautiful expansive mural is in the chapel at Magdala, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee not far from where this woman found Jesus. (I included my picture below for size/perspective)

When you do not know the words to pray, reach out and touch the hem of Jesus' garment. He is enough.  'Jesus'.

Just One Touch! - watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gihD343qW4

Christine

p.s. a few have inquired about the next tour I will lead to Israel - if you are interested, hit 'reply' and let me know! praying about 2026.

Prayer is reaching out for God.  

And it is that access point,

where heaven touches earth,

where we maintain our lifeline with our Creator,

our Savior, and our Redeemer.

*Mark 5.25-34; also Luke 8 and Matthew 9