Never underestimate the significance of a mother’s plea. We have the privilege and responsibility to petition the throne of heaven on behalf of our children.
Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.”
Matthew 15:22 CSB
This mother petitioned with “loud, troublesomely urgent” cries, literally begging Jesus for mercy (AMPC). How many of our children are plagued by trauma, nightmares, depression, fears, or diagnoses? Many have “miserable, distressing, or cruel” struggles, just like the daughter in Matthew 15 (AMPC). So will we, like this courageous mother, persistently bring our concerns straight to the feet of Jesus?
Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples approached Him and urged Him, “Send her away because she’s crying out after us.” He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came, knelt before Him, and said, “Lord, help me!”
Matthew 15:23-25 CSB
This mother would not give up. She followed Jesus and called out for Him, over and over, even though His followers wanted to turn her away. How often have well-meaning medical professionals or even people of faith approached our children’s challenges with a spirit of defeat, despair, or resignation, content to simply put a name or letters to their struggle? We are sincerely grateful for those who help us find answers and medicines and therapies that can help our children. But do we stop there? Do we consider that the struggle may transcend even science and enter the spiritual realm? “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the cosmic powers of this darkness” (Ephesians 6:12). The same is true for our children! They are not immune to attacks from the enemy and, even though we may not see demon possession blatantly, be assured our enemy is still “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
When Jesus finally spoke to the mother, she came kneeling before Him in worship, praying over and over, “Lord, help me!” Are we boldly approaching Jesus, worshiping Him while pouring out the cry of our heart? And not just once, but over and over again. I imagine her plea was birthed out of desperation. Jesus was the last hope for her daughter; they had tried everything else.
Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was cured from that moment.
Matthew 15:28 AMPC
How truly astounding: the daughter was healed
because of her mother’s faith.
This should speak to us and break us and humble us and encourage us. Are we persistently approaching the throne of grace with boldness and faith-filled confidence on behalf of our children (Hebrews 4:16)? We are promised in Scripture through Jesus “we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (v. 16). Mercy and grace. Just like this Matthew 15 mother.
It is important to realize that mercy and grace might not always result in complete physical healing–perhaps He may help us find the exact right therapy, we are given supernatural endurance for another day, or through the wisdom of doctors there is a medicine to help immensely. But what if God might choose to heal? What if the struggle is profoundly spiritual and we must have faith and petition God Himself to bring the healing?
This dear mother kept crying out to Jesus.
She prayed for mercy: “Have mercy on me!”
She knelt in worship.
She asked Jesus for help: “Lord, help me!”
She had faith.
And her daughter was healed in an instant.
Oh, may God grow in our hearts faith like this Canaanite mother. May we follow her example of courageous, persistent prayers on behalf of our sons and daughters.
