Morning Prayer - I Say To You: Arise

Jesus,

I come to you in this crowded house of my heart. So many thoughts, worries, and doubts are thronging around you that sometimes I can barely get near you. But today, I want to have the faith of those friends who would not be stopped.

I want to break through the roof of my own limitations, my indifference, and my fear, to finally find myself before your face, in the place where miracles happen.

Lord, look upon my faith!

I know that you see my desire, my small yet persistent faith, which is pushing through the crowd. And just as you looked upon those men, today Your gaze rests on me.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.'” (Mark 2:5)

You do not first look at my paralysis, my failures, or my illnesses, but at my heart. And the first word you speak to me is not a rebuke, but liberation.

Your word touches the deepest wound, the root of all my suffering—my sin. You speak words that only God can speak.

You have the authority to forgive sins

Within me, too, there are sometimes voices that doubt. They are like the scribes of that time, who grumbled and questioned in their hearts.

“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)

But You, Jesus, are God. You are the Son of Man, to whom was given all authority, glory, and sovereign power.

“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)

And to silence the doubts within me and around me, you prove your inner, invisible authority over sin with an outer, visible miracle. You speak words that hold the power of creation.

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:10-11)

Lord, this word is for me today. You say to me: “Rise!” Rise from the bed of my laziness, my fear, my resentment. You have given me the authority to walk in Your power, not my own. It is Your will that I be whole—forgiven and healed.

“who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,” (Psalm 103:3)

You are the one who was exalted, to give us this unmerited grace of repentance and forgiveness.

“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” (Acts 5:31)

Just as you spoke to the woman who touched you in faith, you also speak to me. I believe that a single touch of Your grace is enough.

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'” (Mark 5:34)

At the sight of Your power and love, which forgives and heals, my heart too is filled with holy fear and immense gratitude.

“When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.” (Matthew 9:8)

Therefore, today I rise. I am taking up my mat—my past, my weaknesses, everything that has paralyzed me—and I carry it as a sign of Your victory. I rely on Your promise, for you are faithful.