With each new heartbreaking story about different loved ones, when hope is being grasped for, and uncertainty looms, a vision comes to my mind from Mark 2…try to imagine it yourself:
“While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man…”My child, your sins are forgiven“, and then, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!“
As we pray, we are one of the men carrying our loved one on a mat. They are paralyzed with pain, or fear, or loneliness, or overwhelming emotions. We believe Jesus is the source of all hope, healing, comfort, and peace for our friend, and so we dig a hole through the roof above Jesus’ head. We lower them on the mat through the roof.
You hear us pray, Jesus. We bring them to you, Jesus. See our faith in you, Jesus. Look at them with your tender, compassionate eyes, so they know that you understand and your heart breaks for them. You invite them closer, to lean into you. You remind them that they are not alone, you love them, you are with them, and you’ll stay with them in this dark valley. Thank you Jesus.
I thought maybe this could help someone. Our prayers and faith matter, we don’t give up hope. We’re here to lower the mats together, to pray and bring our loved ones to the face of Jesus.
My Heart, My Home 