Good day, my dear friend.
For several days we have been looking at the account in the Bible about the Canaanite woman who decided to ask Jesus for help, and help her he did.
“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
The Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”(Mt.15: 21-28)
In this account we can see that this woman was asking in real desperation, but Jesus would not answer her immediately. Jesus did this purposely and we will see “why” in a minute. But for now I would like you to notice that even though Jesus did not respond, it did not stop the woman from pleading with him.
Maybe today you are asking for God’s help; maybe you are praying for the salvation of your children, or you want them to change their attitude toward some things in life. There are many things you may be praying about.
Maybe you are praying to God, and it seems to you that the answer isn’t going to come; maybe you feel like giving up on prayer, and you think that prayer doesn’t work. I’ve spoken to people who were praying for a long time and started to disbelieve in the power of prayer as the answers were not immediate. The example of the Canaanite woman shows us that it is wrong to think that there is no point in asking God for help. I would like to reassure you that your prayer is heard today! Even today there is magnificent power in prayer! Even if you sometimes feel that God does not hear or answer your prayers. The truth is – prayer changes things!
The Canaanite woman was perseverant in her request to Jesus. There is a reward for perseverance and faithfulness. This woman didn’t think that there was no point in asking Jesus. She knew he could help her. She didn’t give up easily and nothing could stop or discourage her, nothing could break her faith in Jesus!
God’s appeal to you today is: do not be discouraged if you feel like God hasn’t yet answered your prayer; keep praying! Have faith in God and pray to Him; don’t give up. Pray till you receive an answer, because prayer changes things!
Jesus taught: “Ask and it will be given to you…for everyone who asks receives.” (Mt.7:7-8)
Also He said: “…they should always pray and not give up.” (Lk.18:1)
May God bless you!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
