Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Jesus was in the middle of teaching to a standing-room-only crowd. The house was packed and those who couldn’t get in were outside straining to get a glimpse through the windows. Suddenly, Jesus looks upward as debris from the ceiling begins to fall on Him. More debris falls as sunlight and blue sky floods the room from a hole torn away in the roof.

Imagine the shock of seeing a man being lowered on a mat through the hole. Four of the man’s friends were responsible. They were lowering the man, who was paralyzed, in front of Jesus. The crowd was too thick and there was no other way to get their friend to Jesus than through the roof. It was bold, audacious, desperate, and creative. It was also an act of faith.

Mark 2:5 says, “When Jesus saw their faith [the faith of the four audacious friends], "he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'” Later, Jesus told the paralytic to get up and go home. The man responded in faith and got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of everyone. Verse 12 says, “This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

This story teaches an important lesson about intercession. In intercessory prayer, we, like the four friends, have one goal—getting our friends or loved ones to Jesus. He has what the people we are praying for need, and we do whatever it takes to bring them together. Intercessory prayer should be bold, audacious, desperate, and creative. It must also be an act of faith. When we pray this way, miracles happen, God is praised, and people say, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Alter Your Altar (Ideas for Family Worship)

• Reflect on the second phrase of the “Lord’s Prayer,” (“Hallowed be your name”). Ask Who, What, When, Where, Why and How questions, and use your sharing time to focus your prayers.
• If you have children, get them to act out this story. Discuss why Jesus saw faith in the four friends of the paralytic. What about their actions was considered having faith?
• Take the Family Worship Challenge
• Make a “Four Friends” list of people you want to intercede for as a family. Take one person on your list to Jesus in prayer every day. Let the person know your family prayed for them and when.

Please Pray . . .

1. That we will reverence God’s name and receive God’s character.
2. For Buena Vista & Cedarbrook Adventist Christian School.
3. For our North Pacific Union Conference leadership and staff.
4. For the sick among us to be comforted, strengthened, and healed as Jesus sees fit to heal them.