A Prayer When You Are Desperate

August 22, 2026
00:00 07:41
Listen on Your Favorite App

The woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 lived in a desperate place for twelve years: physically weak, socially ostracized, considered unclean by everyone around her. And yet she never gave in to hopelessness. She pressed on and pressed in until she could get close enough to simply touch the hem of His garment.

Her story has a way of reaching people who are bleeding in ways no one can see. Not physically, but emotionally or mentally. People who are cut deep by life, weak from years of carrying pain and shame that others do not know about. The woman with no name knew what it meant to suffer invisibly for a long time, to believe and yet see no change, to pray and wonder if anyone was listening. Desperate belief is what she carried to Jesus that day, and it was enough. His response to her was not a clinical transaction. He called her Daughter. He told her that her faith had healed her and sent her away in peace, freed from her suffering. That same Jesus has not forgotten anyone who is still bleeding today. Whatever the cause, however many years it has continued, one touch is still enough. Press on. Press in. He is closer than you think.


Today's Bible Verse

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
— Mark 5:34, NIV


Ponder Today

  1. Twelve years of unanswered prayer did not destroy her faith — and it does not have to destroy yours. She grew discouraged at times and surely questioned when God would answer. But she did not quit. Her fortitude is both an example and an encouragement.
  2. Jesus called her Daughter. She described herself as no one's daughter. He gave her an identity and a belonging that her suffering had tried to strip away. Whatever shame or invisibility you have been carrying, He sees you and names you His own.
  3. The word "finished" carries the weight of complete and permanent healing. What Jesus accomplished on the cross was not partial. It is finished. Your bleeding, whatever its cause and however long it has continued, can be stopped with one touch from the One who overcame everything.

A Prayer for You Today

Dearest Jesus, we come before You today with desperate belief that You are who You say You are and will do what You said You will do. We thank You that by Your stripes we are healed. As You said, it is finished. We rejoice in that knowledge and praise You for Your healing as we reach out and touch You in faith. In Your precious name, Amen.


Want More?

🎉 We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

More Episodes
See all episodes
Meet Your Hosts
Keri Eichberger is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With The One Who Overcomes and has a passion for devotional writing. A Jesus-loving Kentucky girl, she is blessed—together with her best friend and husband of more than twenty years, Mike—with a house full of five kids. Keri was ordained through Southeast Christian Church and has devoted her life to full-time ministry. Connect with her at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.
Lia Girard is a poet, mom, wife, author, and former Faith Editor for Crosswalk.com who delights in the truth, discovering new restaurants and exploring wild places. Formerly Lia Martin, her devotionals, articles and video/audio voiceovers are featured on Crosswalk.com, BibleStudyTools.com, iBelieve.com, and the Your Daily Prayer and Your Nightly Prayer podcasts. She soaks up God on long forest walks and shares her inspiration on Instagram @wildpeace.poetry.
Podcasts About Sign Up Advertise Contact