Hear our Prayer!

O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish!” Matthew 15:28

The words we say to God are very important. In the Old Testament, the men who were sent to reconnoiter the land of Canaan came back with discouraging reports. They said the people in the land God promised them were fierce giants, too strong for them, for they felt like “grasshoppers”. The people grumbled and complained showing God they did not trust Him to give them what He promised. What did God do? He said they would never reach the land He promised them and they didn’t. 

In contrast, there was a Canaanite woman  who approached Jesus. We don’t know what she knew of God’s promises to His people but she knew enough of Jesus’ character to plead with Him for the life of her daughter. She asked Jesus to save her daughter from the torments of a demon. At first Jesus refused and said He came for the Jews, “the lost sheep of Israel”. “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” (I have it on good authority that the translation should be puppies, not dogs.)

She persisted, undeterred, “Please, Lord, even the puppies eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” By her words, she showed Jesus she knew that there was more than enough power, kindness, graciousness, faithfulness, generosity, in Jesus, to spare for her. By her words, she confessed trust that Jesus would do well by her. He could and would answer her need. 

When we have persistent faith in God, when we stand on His promises, and don’t grumble and complain, He will meet us where we are. Our words to God are important.