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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Thirty One - The Leper.
Leprosy was a terrible disease in the ancient world. Not only the debilitating effects of the disease but the social isolation which was also a result.
They were required to cry a humilitating cry of "unclean" and live alone to prevent transmission of the disease.
When Jesus was undertaking his ministry, the gospels record that he interacted frequently with lepers. He was willing to go to them and have them come to hm treating them with respect and kindness. He even touched them, and his touch healed them.
Many commentators have compared the physical condition of leprosy with the spiritual condition of sin.
It is true that sin isolates us, from God and possibly from other people as well. Either we are isolated because of our nature which people react against or we self impose our isolation through our shame.
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus can make us clean. As he touches our life we are given the opportunity to leave all of our sins behind us.
What a great gift, it fills us with gratitude and makes us want to talk about and share our experience of the touch of Jesus on our lives.
Why some are healed and some not is too complex a question for such a short devotional. The fact is, that I nor probably anyone else understands why. However, we must give glory to God that he is able to heal, sometimes physically, more often, spiritually.
We remember, that St Paul suffered with a "thorn in his flesh" through his ministry, without healing. So a lack of healing, in answer to our prayers, does not reflect a lack in our faith or a measure of our worth to God.
Bible Passage: - Mark 1:40-45 (NIV)
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.'
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 'See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.' Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Contemplation Saying.
"I am willing"
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith 650 - "Heal us Immanuel! Hear our prayer."
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
Lord, this day and every day, help us to not turn away from anyone who is in need. Amen.
Facebook Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the life of your Son, for the acts of healing that he performed.
May our hearts and our actions be shaped by him today and everyday.
May we not turn away from anyone who is in need.
Help us embrace them in our loving arms, as you enbrace us in yours.
In your Holy name we pray. Amen.
Full Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the life of your Son.
Especially today, we thank you for the acts of healing that he performed.
May our hearts and our actions be shaped by him, today and everyday.
May we not turn away from anyone who is in need.
No matter their differences or distance from us may we embrace them in our loving arms as you enbrace us in yours.
In your Holy name we pray. Amen.
Lord, we do not understand the way that you interact with us. Why one should be healed when so many are left to cope with the illness that falls upon them.
We ask you for healing not at our demand but as you will it. Where healing is not your will we pray thay we may be assured of the comfort and wholeness that you give to each of us.
Whatever our situattion, help us realise that your arms always surrond us, holding us in love and care. Where pain engulfs us you suffer with us. Where tears fall ike rain your tears mingle with ours. Where anguish fills our lives, so deep anguish fills yours.
You are our shepherd and you feel every moment of suffering of your flock, we praise and acknowlege that love.
Help us to remain firm in our faith in you. Our God and our Saviour. Amen.