I am willing

Scripture: A man suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to (Jesus) and pleaded on his knees saying, "If you are willing, you can cleanse me." Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, "I am willing. Be cleansed."Mark 1:40-41

Prayer: Let me be without guile in prayer—to ask humbly and have stout faith that the Lord will stretch out his hand and touch me.

Response: Here in these two short verses is presented a model prayer. You are looking over the shoulder of this man who is suffering from a dread skin disease. You see him kneeling before Jesus—an act of faith and submission. Can't you just imagine his lowered or even closed eyes, his submissiveness? And can you sense the surprise, relief that almost overwhelms him when Jesus touches him and speaks?

Well, with or without a dread skin disorder, what did you experience when you were similarly leveled by circumstances in your life—unable to unravel the purpose served for a tragedy experienced, a sorrow shared, a hopelessness invading a peaceful heart? How soon after the experience when you were seemingly crushed did you—almost against your will—pray your confusion and despair, even if no words escaped your mouth?

Catch the moment when the man is touched by Jesus. Whether or not anyone was observing is of no moment. He could have been in a vast auditorium, huddled on a bench in a major train station, or alone in a chair in a home for the aged. But at that moment, he was alone with the Master. And just like for any of the previous souls seeking His healing, so He is there to touch you whatever your circumstances.