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A Prayer of Faith

The story of the paralytic is a powerful story for intercession. The paralytic was indeed physically disabled and crippled. But, what ailed him most was the feeling that he was lost and that God was unable to save him. He did not have the faith or belief that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It was the condition of his heart that caused him the most pain, not his physical condition. He stopped believing, became despairing, and was without hope.

But that didn't stop God. He sent four friends to this paralytic who would believe for him. "A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

What a beautiful story of the love of friendship!

These friends were persistent. They did not give up. Though the odds were against them and others around them were indignant that they would bring their friend before Jesus without following the "correct" protocol, they came anyway. Nothing would stop them from bringing this man to the feet of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, "he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." The faith of those men saved their friend. And it didn't stop there. Jesus moved on and healed the man's physical being as well. Jesus believes in complete healing, not a partial one.

The same opportunity is for us today. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death." - 1John 5:16 Many are in need of our prayers and our faith on their behalf. When we are diligent and do not give up in finding a way to bring them to the Saviour, our prayers will be answered and "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

When was the last time you became persistent for the salvation of someone's soul? When was the last time you wouldn't stop interceding until you knew that person was at the feet of Jesus to be healed. God is calling us to become a "paralytic's believing friend".  Our efforts combined with God's power can move mountains and bring complete healing to a despairing soul.