How can we apply Mary's approach to Jesus in our prayer life? Entering the Scene “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ ” (John 11:32) What We Notice Immediately • She comes straight to Jesus, bypassing distraction. • She falls at His feet—full-bodied humility. • She calls Him “Lord”—clear confession of His sovereignty. • She pours out raw sorrow and faith in the same sentence. Posture: Humble Hearts Kneel • Kneeling tells the truth about who rules and who needs. • Even when our bodies can’t kneel, our wills can bow (Psalm 95:6). • Start prayer by pausing long enough for the heart to “get low” before Christ. Honesty: Grief in His Presence • Mary does not sanitize her disappointment. • Scripture invites lament (Psalm 62:8; 1 Peter 5:7). • Authentic words keep relationship real and guard us from formalism. Title: “Lord” Comes First • Confession of authority frames every request (Matthew 6:9–10). • Saying “Lord” reminds us Jesus is never merely a sympathetic listener; He is the One who commands life back into tombs (John 11:43–44). Faith: Trusting Character More Than Circumstance • Mary’s statement carries both grief and confidence—“If You had been here…” implies she believes He could have prevented the death. • True faith can coexist with tears (Hebrews 11:13–16). • Prayer that holds pain and belief together reflects biblical realism. Echoes of Other Moments at His Feet • Luke 10:39—Mary sits listening: humility before teaching. • John 12:3—she anoints His feet: sacrifice and worship. • Luke 7:38—the forgiven woman weeps at His feet: gratitude for grace. Across diverse needs, the feet of Jesus stay the safest place. Practical Takeaways for Daily Prayer 1. Begin by consciously “approaching” Christ—speak His name, remember His nearness (Hebrews 4:16). 2. Physically kneel or bow your head to mirror Mary’s posture. 3. Address Him as “Lord”; declare attributes you find in Scripture. 4. Pour out unedited emotion—joy, sorrow, frustration, hope. 5. Acknowledge His power even when you can’t trace His plan. 6. Linger; Mary didn’t rush back to the mourners until Jesus moved (John 11:45). 7. End by trusting His timing, knowing resurrection power is already His. Promises That Anchor This Approach • “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 34:18) • “Before they call, I will answer; while they yet speak, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) • “If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14) Following Mary, we kneel, speak honestly, confess His lordship, and rest in His life-giving authority—confident that the same voice that called Lazarus out still hears us today. |
    |