In Mark's gospel account, he tells us the story of a man named Jairus who went to Jesus about his ailing 12-year-old daughter. This was dangerous for Jairus because the leaders of the synagogues were already plotting to kill Jesus, but Jairus' daughter was really sick; in fact, she was dying. Jesus immediately started to go to her but along the way somebody else needed healing so it took Him a little longer. Shortly after, Jesus and Jairus met messengers who had just come from Jairus' house. Let's pick up the story from that point:

“Your daughter has died. Why bother the Teacher any longer?” Jesus paid no attention to what they said, but told him, “Don't be afraid, only believe.” Then he did not let anyone else go on with him except Peter and James and his brother John. They arrived at Jairus' house, where Jesus saw the confusion and heard all the loud crying and wailing. He went in and said to them, “Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? The child is not dead—she is only sleeping!”  They started making fun of him, so he put them all out, took the child's father and mother and his three disciples, and went into the room where the child was lying. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, koum,” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up!” She got up at once and started walking around. (Mark 5:35-42 )

This father needed Jesus to heal his daughter. When he got the news that his daughter was dead, he must have been distraught—but Jesus encouraged him, saying, “Don't be afraid, only believe.”   Jesus didn't shout; He didn't perform any theatrics. He simply took the girl's hand and told her to get up...and she did! I don't think you and I really understand how powerful touch can be. The touch on a hand or a shoulder can encourage someone who needs empathy. It can even bring physical healing.

Today, let me encourage you. When someone wants you to pray for them, ask if it would be OK to hold their hand or touch their shoulder, then pray. God can touch people in powerful ways when He uses you to touch them...and that is very Good News!