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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 4:38-44

My son, George, has epilepsy. In prayer, I ask God to heal George’s brain, to remove the scar tissue that causes his epilepsy, and to prevent future seizures. I pray with specificity and with gusto, and I pray this way because I think it’s fair to bring the earnest and raw desires of my motherly heart to God. 

Whether George receives physical healing in this life or not, I entrust my son to God. This is a daily act of surrender for me as I remind myself that God loves George even more than I do, and God’s vision and desires for George are vaster than mine.    

If, like me, you’ve ever prayed with particularity for physical healing of a loved one, today’s Gospel may resonate with you. The disciples show us that it is good and efficacious to ask for specific intercessions from the Lord. The disciples asked Jesus to heal Simon’s mother-in-law, and He did! The healing was so complete and so miraculous that “she got up immediately and waited on them.” Through God, miraculous physical healing happens. 

Yet even as Jesus continues to heal people, He reminds us that His mission, while deeply compassionate and responsive to prayer, extends beyond physical healing. He reminds the crowds,

“I must continue to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Jesus’ vision for us extends beyond the physical. He beckons us to His Kingdom.

Sometimes we receive the gift of physical healing, and that is wonderful. Yet whenever we bring our desires in prayer to the Lord, we encounter a God who draws us through this life to eternity in His Kingdom. His love for us is eternal and His healing extends eternally. 

 

Ponder:

 

What intercession will you pray for with specificity today? 

 

Pray:


Lord, we give You thanks that You hear the particular prayers of our hearts, especially the prayers for healing in this life and in Your Kingdom.

 



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Copyright 2025 Elizabeth Tomlin

 

About the Author

Elizabeth Tomlin

Elizabeth Tomlin

Elizabeth is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women’s Groups (Ave Maria Press), General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and director of stewardship for the Military Council of Catholic Women, where she previously served as the president and as director of faith formation. Elizabeth is a catechist and speaker, and blogs at JoyfulMomentum.org.