Mark 7:25-26: For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Jesus praised a non-Jewish woman who acknowledged Him as Messiah and Lord.

Intercession for others begins with a right relationship with Jesus Christ, acknowledging His power and position and making Him Lord of our lives.

We cannot expect an answer from Jesus if we personally do not have a consistent and growing relationship with Him.

Exploration: On a scale of 1-10, with 10 as the closest and most intimate, where would you rate?

Interaction: How can we more effectively remember and pray for requests mentioned in church meetings?

Matthew 15:22: And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Jesus praised the Canaanite woman who came to Jesus on behalf of her daughter.

Intercession, coming to God on behalf of others, is both our responsibility and our privilege.

Be specific in your requests. Pray thoughtfully. Don’t be afraid to ask. Jesus invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace.

Exploration: Why does Intercessor first ask Jesus to “have mercy on me?”

Interaction: Have you ever witnessed God’s healing in the life of a child? What part did intercession play?

To be much for God, we must be much with God… --- Leonard Ravenhill

Matthew 15:23, 25: But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us….Then came she and worshipped him, saying Lord, help me.

Jesus praised a mother who would not be dissuaded in her request of healing for her daughter.

God honors worship and persistence in prayer.

The pleas of this woman are a nuisance to the disciples, but she is unfazed.

We should also learn to worship when it seems our prayers are unanswered and our Savior is not listening.

Exploration: What does this parable teach you about prayer?

Interaction: Is worship typically our first response to unanswered prayers? Are we ever guilty of mirroring the disciples’ reaction when someone desperately persists in prayer?

Matthew 15:28: Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus praised the faith of this Gentile woman and healed her daughter.

We should pray faithfully and in faith for the sick as well as for other concerns, knowing God hears and answers in ways far beyond our comprehension.

The same confidence in the power of God that brought Intercessor bodily to Christ must have been enough for her to trust His word.

Exploration: Jesus commended the great faith of another Gentile in the scripture. Who was he?

Interaction: What would increased faith look like in your life? In your women’s group? In your church?

“Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian.” -- Andrew Murray

Written by: Carol Reid Nashville, TN