“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Matthew 8:5-13

As I write these words, we have a brother in our congregation battling cancer.  I have known him and his wife for over 30 years.  No matter what curve ball life threw at them, they weathered the storm and remained faithful.  What faith!

Not long ago, he gave my son a prized possession—a booklet showcasing the glory days of the 1972-74 Oklahoma Sooners.  I’ll never forget the look on my son’s face.  It was one of amazement.  I could see the question in his eyes:  “Why would he do that for me?”  You see, my husband is one of the many football players showcased in this booklet.  He’s never sat down and discussed his football years with either of our sons.  And that’s what made the gift so special.

So, when the news came that our brother was suffering, I, like so many others in our congregation, fell to my knees.  The news gripped me like a wet leather glove.  Days before, I’d seen our brother smiling, greeting others, quietly going about his business—no doubt in pain.

I received an e-mail again today, this July 4th, requesting prayers for him.  Hours after my prayers, hours after completing other work on my plate, I sat down and thought it’d be a good time to write my July devotional.

I thought of our brother.

My thoughts drifted to the centurion’s faith as recorded in Matthew 8:5-13.  Many times since the first announcement of our brother’s illness I’ve asked God to just speak or think or whisper the word and our brother will be healed.

“Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go!  It will be done just as you believed it would.’”

I believe!

As we await God’s answer to our prayers, I wonder if someone, anyone, can count on you to pray for them?

“. . . if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Matthew 17:20)

I believe all things are possible for those who love the Lord.

Do you believe?

Prayer:    God, please help me to glorify you regardless of my circumstances.  Draw me out of self and into you.  Help me place my brothers and sisters above myself.

Think:     When was the last time your love for a brother or sister in Christ made you fall to your knees?

Read:      Matthew 8:5-13; 9:18-22; 17:20-21; Mark 9:23; Philippians 2:3-4

Donna B. Comeaux
Freelance Writer, Novelist, Poet

Donna is a writer for Ruby for Women, a Christian online magazine (Rubyforwomen.com) and she writes devotionals for Hope-Full Living (Hope-fulldevos.com).