Today's Passage - Matthew 9:18-22

Matthew 9:18-22   While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live."  Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.  Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.  She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."  Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment.   This woman came before God with a strong desire to seek healing.  She has been bleeding for twelve years; she spent all she had but the disease was not cured.  Not only was she in physical pain, her soul was also severely tortured.  Back then, women who had bleeding disease was considered unclean and they could not have normal relationships with people, so she was considered an outcast of the society.  When the woman went before Jesus, she was extremely eager to receive healing from the Lord.  When you and I come before God to plead, do we have an attitude of eagerness?  How do we have such an attitude?   First, we must bring all things before Lord in prayer.  Many Christians have a wrong concept: God is busy and probably doesn't have time to take care of little trivial businesses of ours, so let's not bother Him.  The Bible, however, teaches us that we don't receive because we don't ask.  Some people say that the Bible teaches us that God always knows what we need before we even ask, so why do we even bother asking?  It is true that God already knows everyone's needs, but His blessings always come to those who are humble and eager, which is shown by asking God in prayer.   Second, not only should we pray to the Lord, we also need to pray more specifically.  Many went to the Lord and prayed, but in very vague terms.  The Bible has more than five thousand types of blessings that were promised for us, so when you pray to the Lord for blessings the Lord will ask, "what kind of blessings do you want from me?"  Not only should we pray, we also need to pray in very specific and clear before the Lord, otherwise how can we even be sure that God has answered our prayer?   Third, we must pray with an earnest heart.  Some people have prayed, but in a rather casual attitude.  Some other prayed, but don't even remember what they prayed for.  If we have an casual attitude towards praying to God, how can we expect God to answer our prayer?   Let us bring our needs before God, and let us have expectations for Him and look upon Him.  When this woman went before Jesus to plead for healing, Jesus said "your faith has healed you."  May God help us, let us receive His grace by faith!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we want to pray specifically for those of us who are sick.  May you lay hand on them and give them sufficient faith to pray to you.  Lord's grace will come upon them right now!  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!        Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!