Session 2: Longing for Healing

0:00

Passacaglia

Prepare:

As we turn our hearts toward prayer, let’s also pay attention to our bodies. Sometimes when we are highly attuned to the spiritual, we can forget that we have bodies or see them as irrelevant to our prayer lives. But in fact, our bodies offer us an invitation to deeper intimacy with the God who took on flesh.

As you sit down in a comfortable place, take a few deep breaths and place your hands over your heart. Can you feel its gentle beat? Rest assured that every fiber of your being and every fiber of your body was created and set into motion by the God of love. Be reminded, with every heartbeat, of God’s abiding presence with you and within you.

3:04

Introduction of Scripture:

In today’s Scripture we will encounter two people who are desperate for the healing touch of Jesus, the father of a young girl who is dying, and a woman who has suffered from bleeding for twelve years. Let’s listen together to their encounters with Jesus.

Scripture: Luke 8: 40-55

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.

As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her haemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’

While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat.

6:27

Andante

Pondering the Scripture:

Place yourself amidst the crowd around Jesus. What sounds do you hear, what observations do you make, what smells reach your nose? Allow yourself to be present in this scene as an onlooker.

Imagine amidst the movement of people and noise that you witness something... a man approaching Jesus, falling to his feet. He pleads with Jesus – how do you imagine this? Does he plead with desperate cries? Or perhaps with a quieter desperation... How do you respond to his plea to Jesus? Notice what stirs within you... thoughts, emotions, inner movements...

Before Jesus can respond to Jairus, you hear him say something unexpected, “Who has touched me?” But so many people are touching him that you can’t make out what he means. Not until a woman emerges from the crowd, falling at Jesus’ feet, do you understand: Jesus has performed a healing on his way to another healing.

Imagine hearing now an announcement that the young girl has died, and taking in Jesus’ response, “Do not be afraid.” Imagine that you are following behind Jesus to Jairus’ house – perhaps you are hurrying. You hear him say to the young girl, “Child, arise!”

What can you hear from within the house as Jairus’ daughter comes back to life? Shock and gasps? Or maybe laughter and tears of joy...

Stay here for a moment, with the sensations and emotions that have arisen with you during these events, as you have witnessed two people’s desperate pleas for healing, witnessed two people being made whole by the touch of Jesus.

12:30

Talk to God:

Carry your experience of this Scripture passage into conversation with a member of the Trinity. What impressions or emotions do you want to share with God?

We have all experienced longing for healing in our lives, perhaps from a physical ailment that we or a loved one are suffering through, perhaps from a mental or emotional struggle, perhaps from a pattern in our life from which we’d like to break free. Take some time to think about the healing you seek, the deep concerns that might lead you to fall at Jesus’ feet or to reach out and touch the hem of his robe. Bring those concerns to the tender and loving presence of God.

Gently hold your hands facing up in your lap as you sit with God. Allow yourself to feel God’s gentle touch, God’s boundless compassion for you and for your concerns.

Take some time to recall moments in your life when you have felt the healing touch of Jesus, moments when you have had the courage to reach out and touch God. As you take several deep breaths, remember that the same God you encountered in those moments is always with you, walking alongside you, reaching out to soothe your suffering and to assure you that you are seen, you are known, and you are beloved.

As you breathe deeply of God’s tender compassion, consider how you might impart that same merciful love to someone else.

20:38

Closing Prayer:

You have given all to me

To you, Lord, I return it

Everything is Yours, do with what You will

Give me only Your love and Your grace

That is enough for me.

Amen.