Mark 1:40

New Living Translation

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

Your Encouragement

The leper knew something some of us have not mastered or are not ready to accept as the heart of prayer (Mark 1:40). It is the will of God in every situation. It is the foundational truth about God when we come to Him in prayer. 

God is sovereign. He rules over all things, seen and unseen. His absolute authority gives Him the sole right to determine what happens in every situation without exception. Everything is subject to His will, and nothing can ever happen without His perfect knowledge and approval—yes, even the things we consider unfair, harsh, wicked, and evil. He works all of them together for our good and His purpose (Romans 8:28).   

Knowing this truth, the man with leprosy appealed to the mercy of God for his cleansing. He cried out with humility and prayed for the will of God for his healing through Christ (Mark 1:40). Jesus had compassion for him and healed him.

“I am willing. Be clean!” (41).

We have no rights apart from what God willingly gives us through Jesus. If you ever wondered why He taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, blessed are you today. Your amazement has ceased. God wants the best for you. And the best is His will, as prevails in heaven, which He encourages us to plead for and expect in every situation when we pray. As Paul writes in Romans 12:2, God’s will is always “good, pleasing, and perfect” in everyway.

So, yes! Like the man with leprosy, God wills to give you His best when, by faith, your heart opens to Him with humility in prayer.

Shalom.