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Over the past month, I’ve been sharing a series about parents in the Bible who have brought their children to Jesus for a need only He could meet. The Syrophoenician woman. The father of the tormented boy. And this week we’re talking about Jairus.
A Father Who Ran to Jesus
Jarius’ story is found in three of the four gospels.
- Matthew 9:18-26
- Mark 5:21-43
- Luke 8:40-56
Jairus was a synagogue leader. A respected man. A father with a twelve-year-old daughter who was dying.
He came to Jesus, fell at his feet, and begged Him to heal her.
Jesus said yes and the two of them started on their way to Jarius’ home.
Can you imagine the hope rising in Jairus’ heart?
Jesus is coming to my house.
He’s going to fix this.
But then… an interruption.
A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus’ garment. Power flowed from Jesus to this woman and she was healed instantly.
And while Jesus stopped to speak to her, Jarius received the worst possible news:
“Your daughter has died. Don’t trouble the teacher anymore.”
Too late.
Or so it seemed.
When the Miracle Feels Delayed
I can’t help but imagine what Jairus must have felt.
If only I had come to Jesus sooner. If only we had walked a little faster. Why did this lady have to interrupt Jesus at this exact moment?
Have you ever felt that way?
You’re praying. You’re believing. You finally sense hope rising… and then something happens that makes you think what you’ve been praying for isn’t coming. It’s too late.
You see God working in someone else’s life. Someone else’s child. And quietly you wonder:
“What about mine?”
We live in a world of scarcity.
Limited time.
Limited resources.
Limited opportunities.
But Jesus does not live in our limitations.
He isn’t anxious about time.
He isn’t worried about running out of miracles.
He isn’t bound by death.
When the message came that Jairus’ daughter had died, Jesus immediately turned to him and said:
“Do not be afraid. Only believe.”
Jesus Is Not Limited by “Too Late”
By the time they reached the house, people were already mourning.
Jesus said, “She’s not dead. She’s sleeping.”
They laughed.
But Jesus wasn’t confused. He is the resurrection and the life. What looks final to us is only temporary to Him.
He put the doubters outside.
Only Peter, James, John—and the girl’s parents—remained.
We must protect our circle.
If someone’s unbelief is constantly tearing down your faith, you may need to step back. If voices online are feeding your fears instead of your faith, it may be time to turn them off.
Faith needs space to breathe.
Jesus took the little girl by the hand and said, “Child, arise.”
And she did.
“Only Believe”
I’m in a blessed place. My children are not physically in need of healing. But spiritually? That’s where I’ve wrestled.
This past year has been hard.
We stepped down from pastoring our church almost a year ago. One of my sons stopped attending our church. I didn’t know what was happening in his heart. It felt dark. Uncertain.
I prayed.
And prayed.
And prayed.
Recently he told me about a church he’s been visiting. We were debriefing after a Sunday service, and he said:
“Mama, God really spoke to me today.”
That’s all I needed.
I don’t care where he goes, as long as God is speaking to him.
A year ago, I couldn’t see that. I was afraid for my son.
But Jesus wasn’t.
He was working in a way I couldn’t see or control.
And maybe that’s the hardest part for us as moms—we can bring them to Jesus, but we cannot control the outcome.
We press in for them… and then one day, they begin pressing in for themselves.
Your Faith Still Matters
In every story we’ve looked at in this series, it was the parent who went to Jesus.
The Syrophoenician woman persisted.
The father of the tormented boy cried, “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.”
Jairus fell at His feet.
And the children were blessed.
Your prayers matter.
Your faith matters.
Even when it feels too late.
Even when it feels like everyone received a breakthrough except you.
Jesus has enough grace to go around.
He is not living in scarcity.
He gives abundant life.
Keep Pressing. Keep Praying.
Maybe your child needs physical healing.
Maybe they need spiritual awakening.
Maybe they’re wandering.
Maybe they’re searching.
Pray.
“Lord, let my child hear Your voice.”
That’s been my prayer.
Call their name.
Speak into their darkness..
And when fear whispers, remember what Jesus said:
“Do not be afraid. Only believe.”
Friend, keep praying.
He is not late.
He is not limited.
And He is not done with your child.
I know what if feels like to want to pray…but not know what to say. That’s why I wrote my first book Covered in Prayer: 31 Prayers to Cover You and Your Child in God’s Grace.
Sometimes when your heart is heavy, it’s hard to find the words.
I want to help you find the words.
That’s why I created a free resource to help you get started: A Daily Prayer for Your Child.
It’s a free PDF you can use to get started—something simple to help you begin praying over your child or someone you love. Get your copy HERE: A Daily Prayer for Your Child.
So don’t be shy. Go to Him. Knock on His door. Pray the prayer of faith.
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