Key scripture- “When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet (Mark 5:21–22, ESV).

Pastor, James McDonald says that, people come up with so many reasons not to pray, and it’s time we all start to realize how unreasonable those reasons are.

Among the greatest, boldest spiritual truths found in Scripture, which is one of the most powerful and practical is this: faith that acts and asks and endures gets answered. Prayers of faith get God’s attention, and the reason this statement packs such a jolt is because it meets us in places where prayer can feel pointless and unproductive, as if it’s taking up precious time that we should be devoting somewhere else.

Yes, we all have our reasons not to pray. But none of them and I mean absolutely none of them should ever keep us from acting and asking anyway.

Mark 5 introduces us to a synagogue leader named Jairus who got up one day, hurriedly dressed, left the house, and asked around until he found where Jesus was teaching, then he pushed through the crowd and fell at Jesus’ feet with an urgent request for help. This man’s daughter was gravely ill—“at the point of death,” he said. “Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live” (Mark 5:23).

Jesus said “yes” to Jarius’ request but while they were going back to Jarius’ home they received news that Jairus’s daughter had already died, and the people who brought this news also said there was now no point in Jesus coming. But Jesus disregarded their comments and He said to Jarius, “Don’t be afraid, just trust me.” (Mark 5:35-36).

When Jesus arrived at Jarius’ home everyone was weeping and wailing and Jesus asked them “Why all this weeping and commotion?” Then He said “The child isn’t dead; she is only asleep!” (Mark 5:39). When He said that they all ridiculed and laughed at Him. Jesus then went into the house and He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” and immediately she arose and walked. (Mark 5:40-42).

Looking back, we know how the story ends, but put yourself in Jarius’ sandals and think about the excuses that he could have come up with for not seeking Jesus at all.

Self-importance. He was a man with an important position, and many of his colleagues that he worked with on a daily basis hated Jesus with a passion. If he dared being too bold and visible in seeking Jesus, he risked losing his job, therefore, he could have said, “If I openly seek Jesus it will jeopardize my family’s future”.

Self-dignity. He could have said, “What kind of impression would a man like me give if I broke down and became emotional in a public setting like this? Wouldn’t it be better to try making an appointment?” Or, if Jesus is as powerful as He claimed to be, wouldn’t He be able to hear Jairus’ prayer from home? Why risk a spectacle that would make him look bad or imbalanced?

Self-protection. He could have said, “Things look really bad for my daughter, and Jesus is probably not going to be able to do anything to help her. Maybe I shouldn’t get my hopes up.” Why pray himself out on a limb, only to be disappointed in the end? It was a long shot at best. Think of how hard it would be to save face with those closest to him if his daring maneuver of asking Jesus for help didn’t work.

Do any of these reasons for not praying sound familiar? You don’t want to look weird or weak; or you are to embarrassed to pray because the people around you would not understand; or you want to try to contain and control the situation; or you don’t want to put God on the spot where He has to act and do something that you see as impossible.

When you think about who God is, none of those excuses are reasonable nor do they hold any weight, because God is up to the challenge of responding to all prayers of faith. He wants them. He invites them. He can do anything. Nothing is impossible for Him. The question is: Are you up to the challenge of acting, asking, enduring, and expecting His answers?

Perhaps all that separates us from Jairus and the miracle he experienced is that he wouldn’t let his excuses keep him from running to Jesus. Are you letting your excuses hold you back? What situation has God given or allowed into your life that is asking for your faith in prayer right now?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for wanting me to act in faith. Thank You that Your truths are solid and Your character is reliable. Thank You that You not only allow but invite me to approach Your throne boldly. So I come to You asking you to enlarge my faith, and show Your glory by doing what only You can do. I want to be like Jarius and let nothing and no one stop me from coming to You in prayer. And when I pray, I will not doubt, instead I will pray expecting You to answer me, and I will endure until You do. Father, thank You for hearing me and helping me. I pray, in the Powerful Name of Jesus, Amen.