So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!”
— Numbers 12:13
Miriam had dared to speak ill of Moses. But Moses was not only her brother, he was a prophet of the Lord. God took this offense so seriously that He caused Miriam to be covered in leprosy. It certainly wasn’t always the case, but in this instance her illness was a direct result of her sinful actions.
Moses’ immediate reaction was to cry out to God on her behalf. He prayed that Miriam would be healed of her affliction Moses expressed such humility in not only forgiving the original offense, but also pleading for the consequences of that offense to be removed from her.
How many of us have seen another individual dealing with the unpleasant ramifications of his or her behavior and failed to feel any compassion?
Perhaps we thought to ourselves, “Well, that’s what he gets,” or some such sentiment. Maybe we even fail to pray for our own healing because we feel that we deserve whatever it is that has happened to us.
There are two things that make all the difference when it comes to a seemingly undeserved healing.
First, God is a merciful God, and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
Second, prayer is a powerful thing.
The prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much good (James 5:16). Let’s pray for the healing of those around us.
God of mercy, I pray for those around me, that they would know Your peace, healing, and love.
Excerpted from 100 Favorite Bible Prayers by Stacy Edwards, copyright Thomas Nelson.
Every single one of us deserves ugly ramifications for our wrongdoings… which is why we need the prayers of those around us and the forgiving mercy and grace of God. Let’s pray today for compassion for people who are bearing their consequences and pray for them to be miraculously healed and saved into faith or greater faith!
Loving friends for the most part is easy, loving enemies or those who have hurt you, or those who you see as evil is very hard. But Jesus came that they might all find forgiveness and salvation, freedom from sin and the consequences thereof… the wrath of God. May we understand that we all deserve God’s wrath but as believers and followers of Jesus have been given grace upon grace and mercy upon mercy. Pray fervently for those who have wronged you and forgive them as Jesus forgave you.
Pastor Dale