Jehovah-Rapha: The God Who HealsSample

Title: Pit Bull Prayers Devotional Content: Ed battled a rare blood disorder, and there was nothing more his doctor could do. “You need to get your affairs in order,” he advised. While pastors and prayer ministers from his church held prayer vigils, Ed went through his Bible, pulling out every promise that countered what the doctor said. He wrote the scriptures on sticky notes and tacked them all around his hospital room. He wrote them on note cards and declared them out loud over and over. The doctor still insisted, “You need to get your affairs in order.” One by one, the prayer ministers dropped off their watch. Many thought he was in denial. “You need to get your affairs in order,” they said. Ed persisted. Only a few remained who stood in agreement with him. Like a pit bull fighting for a piece of steak, he would not let go of God’s promises. In the end, he walked out of the hospital with his affairs untouched. He was healed. To encourage you to never give up, Jesus told a story of a persistent widow. She had a dispute with an enemy and repeatedly took her request for justice to the judge who kept ignoring her. This judge neither feared God nor cared about people, but he finally gave her justice because her persistence wore him out. Instead of praying in faith with shameless persistence, we often pray backward. We receive before we believe. We pray a few times, and if we don’t receive what we need, we give up. Our persistence can be hindered by weariness and unbelief. But we can be confident He will answer our cries for help. Even the evil judge relented and rendered a just decision. How much more will a loving Father respond to your persistent prayers? God will surely give justice to those who cry out to him day and night! Persistent prayer is an expression of faith that God hears and God answers. The key is trusting that He’s working on your behalf because you are His child and He is always on your side. Keep on praying and never give up. Pray like a pit bull! Lord, help me to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking! Remember Your promises to me, Lord! You are the God who heals and restores! Please give me the faith to persist, to cry out to You day and night when the answers come slowly.