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Intention

To become passionate heralds of hope – people who encourage others to believe that healing is possible in the face of impossible circumstances.

Scripture

“Tell of all his wondrous works!”

– Psalm 105:2

Reflection

Life often brings us unexpected gifts – events that surprise us, whether joyful or sorrowful. Sometimes, these gifts come wrapped in pretty ribbon and shiny, smooth paper, easy to receive with gratitude. But other times, they might appear like huge heavy stones, covered in rough, prickly packaging, hard to even touch.

When faced with these difficult gifts, how do I respond? Do I try to get rid of them in my own strength, grumbling at their discomfort? Or can I say, “Lord, this hurts, but I trust that You’ve hidden a treasure of Your love within this trial, and with Your help, I will find it”?

Before I knew the Lord, I carried an unspoken grief that weighed on my heart. I searched everywhere for healing, but nothing worked.

Then, along my journey, I started reading the Bible, and that’s when I discovered the story of the woman with the haemorrhage.

Her story sparked hope within me. I saw myself in her struggle and began to believe that if I could also reach out to Jesus in faith, He would heal me, too.

The same spark of hope that had touched me, was likely the same spark of hope that touched her all of those years ago.

Like me, the woman with the haemorrhage had heard about Jesus’ miracles. Inspired by these testimonies, she gained the courage to act.

Mark 5:27–28 tells us, “She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak. She thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.’”

The testimonies of others prepared her heart to believe and receive healing.

We don’t know what happened in the woman with the haemorrhage’s life after her miraculous encounter.

But I like to imagine she became a passionate herald of hope. Someone who shared her story to encourage others to believe that healing is possible in the face of impossible-looking circumstances.

On Easter morning, when the women rose early to go to Jesus’ tomb, they faced a problem, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” (Mark 16:3).

Yet God always provides a way. “An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it” (Matthew 28:2).

We don’t need to rely on our own strength to move the “stones” in our own or others’ lives. Instead, we can surely trust in God’s power, stepping forward in faith to proclaim that no obstacle is too great.

Through faith, we shine His light into the darkness, helping ourselves and others see the treasure of His love hidden within our trials. We can walk as ‘living stones’, proclaiming that just as the tombstone was rolled away, so too can our burdens be lifted, revealing the eternal treasure of His love.

“As you come to Him, the Living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4–5).

Video

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for the treasure of Your love hidden within our trials. Thank You for the grace to help us overcome.

May we be those who walk with You so closely that we shine and help others discover the hidden treasures of Your truth and mercy in every situation.

Strengthen each person to find and feel your presence today in the circumstances they find themselves. Give faith to those who need it to press through to touch You and receive from You the power to be restored.

Roll away the stones of deception and unbelief and lift the burdens that seem too great. In your redeeming name, amen.

Author Bio

Lara, a dedicated advocate for the Pregnancy Help Australia (PHA) network, brings over a decade of counselling expertise to the pregnancy help field. Specialising in supporting parents through unexpected pregnancies and port-abortion healing, Lara is fuelled by her own lived experience of profound loss and unplanned pregnancy.

You can contact the PHA National Helpline on 1300 139 313 from 8 am – 10 pm daily.

Prayer Points and Purpose for 21 Days for Life 2025

1. That the Church unifies in prayer and advocacy for the unborn.

2. That Australians will vote according to the defence of LIFE in upcoming elections.

3. That the federal Babies Born Alive Bill be passed with no more delay.

4. That every church across Australia becomes a House of Refuge.

5. That walks for life to defend life in the womb flourish in every state and territory.