Press to Pray
I think about the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8: 43-48. She bled constantly for 12 years and could find no cure. But when she pressed through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ robe, she was instantly healed. The same is true for us when we press to meet Jesus in prayer.
Prayer is a press, but it’s necessary. It’s my lifeline. I continue to be amazed at what God does as a result of prayer. I can’t allow life and the crowd to keep me away from praying. I must press.
Read my thoughts below and reflect on the following questions: “Have you been pressing to touch Jesus? Have you made prayer a priority? Are you desperate enough to press to prayer? I also encourage you to visit my youtube channel to view my series on how to pray.
PRESS TO PRAY
I show up to pray
And you are already there
You were there waiting for me
I am in awe that when I press to get into your presence
You meet me
And you tell me like you told her
Your faith has made you well
But to touch you, to see you
I have to press through the crowd
The crowd of my circumstances
The crowd of my own thoughts
The crowd of my pain
The crowd of the internet
Crowds can distract and discourage me and make me believe that the press is not worth it
But I see my need for healing on so many levels
I see that I will always NEED you
I can spend my resources on things that guarantee that they will fix me
But these temporal things can’t stop the steady flow of my issues
The pain doesn’t go away
But when I press
I touch you
And in an instant I am healed
I feel the weight lift in your presence
I see my faith affirmed in your presence
I see curses broken in your presence
I see miracles performed in your presence
I see me being transformed in your presence
So while the crowd will always be there
I will continue to press to meet and touch you
I WILL PRESS TO PRAY
About the Author
Anika Jones
Anika Jones is a speaker and author of the book Lessons Learned Along The Way: A 40 Day Devotional. She blogs about faith and family at LivingForLater.com and posts weekly videos on her YouTube channels, Living For Later (@livingforlater) and Living Life Now (@livinglifenow). Anika loves speaking about developing intimacy with God and understanding who we are in Christ. She serves alongside her husband in ministry. They live in Illinois with their 6 children.