Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach encourages families to discuss the things they most need from God, and spend time in prayer with full assurance that God will hear them.

The church's Aug. 16 bulletin illustrated the strong faith of the Canaanite woman who persisted that Jesus heal her daughter even after he had spurned her.

Her boldness is similar to the boldness children have in their parents and the confidence with which they ask for what they want or need. Their faith in their earthly parents demonstrates how fearlessly and honestly the rest of us can approach God in prayer.

In Matthew 15:21-28, the Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus to heal her daughter. She is so loud that the disciples ask Jesus to send her away. His denial of her request only caused her to lean in more, kneeling at his feet and reminding him that even the least are fed and sustained. Christ relents, declaring that her faith is great, and heals her daughter immediately.

As a family, spend some time remembering a request that was presented by one family member to another with determination and persistence. If the request was denied, discuss why. If the request was granted, explore what caused the perspective shift. Read Matthew 15:21-28.

God wants us to be as confident in his mercy toward us when we pray as the Canaanite woman was in Jesus' ability to heal her daughter.