I wrote yesterday about the Roman centurion who wouldn’t let Jesus come to his house. He understood grace way better than most religious people. He also understood Jesus’ power better than most.

[There was] a Roman military captain who had a beloved servant he valued highly, and the servant was sick to the point of death. When the captain heard that Jesus was in the city, he sent some respected Jewish elders to plead with him to come and heal his dying servant. So they came to Jesus and told him, “The Roman captain is a wonderful man. If anyone deserves to have a visit from you, it is him. Won’t you please come to his home and heal his servant? For he loves the Jewish people, and he even built our meeting hall for us.” Jesus started off with them, but on his way there, he was stopped by friends of the captain, who gave this message: “Master, don’t bother to come to me in person, for I am not good enough for you to enter my home. I’m not worthy enough to even come out to meet one like you. But if you would just release the manifestation of healing right where you are, I know that my young servant will be healed. (Luke 7.2 – 7, Passion Translation)

Jesus commended his faith:

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7.9, NIV)

But what was the nature of his faith? It was that Jesus had POWER without the need for PROXIMITY. Proximity is a good thing. It is difficult to have community without it, for example. But sometimes, proximity isn’t possible. In that case, we have a third “P” – PRAYER. The formula might be:

PRAYER -> POWER with or without PROXIMITY

We have the opportunity to pray for people, essentially asking Jesus to bring his power to bear on a situation whether we can be there in person or not. As a friend of mine likes to say, “What would you pray for if you knew that the “prayer gun” was loaded?”

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6.18 – 20, NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.6, 7, NIV)