The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other words, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“And some people came, bringing to him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. And when they were unable to get to [Jesus] because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

—Mark 2:3–5

Do you know someone unable to bring themselves to Jesus? Maybe they’re too tired, too worn, and too hurt, and they’re stuck where they are.

We have a responsibility to bring those people to God in faith, and he looks not only at them, but at the faith of their friends who carry them to Christ in prayer and service.

There was nothing the man’s friends could do except bring him to Jesus. They couldn’t heal him, and presumably doctors had given no hope. They certainly couldn’t forgive his sins. Sometimes we think, “I wish I could do more than pray.” But praying is bringing them to Jesus. We can also do it through witnessing, encouragement, and speaking the truth of the Word, but the final restoration is only going to come with the touch of our Lord.

If it seems like there’s no way to bring someone to Jesus, don’t give up. This man’s friends tore off a roof to get him there. Can we pray like we’re tearing tiles off a roof in order to get our friends to Christ? I think so. “A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much” (James 5:16).

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