Article July 7, 2008 Issue

'DAUGHTER...GO IN PEACE AND BE FREED

A life set back on track through prayer

BY SUZANNE C. GIVENS

It's likely you've heard the following Bible story. It's actually a story that has freedom at its core. Jesus was on his way to meet with one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus, who'd asked him to come and heal his daughter. As Jesus went, he was surrounded by a huge crowd of people, or a "throng."

One woman in particular, in order to get close to Jesus, fought her way through this mob. Picture her struggling through the swarming crowd, jostled back and forth, making her way to where the master Christian stood. After much elbowing, she managed to get close to him—just close enough to reach out and touch the hem of his clothes.

The Bible says this woman (we aren't even told her name) had suffered from "an issue of blood" for 12 years. And when she touched just the hem of Jesus' garment, she was healed immediately. The benediction Jesus then gave to the woman was, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering" (Mark 5:34, New International Version).