God has his plans, but can they ever change? Are we on some unchangeable schedule that is set in concrete that can never be undone and re-shaped?  

Seems that in the account of this conversation between Jesus and a gentile woman way out in gentile territory, things are not so set in concrete when it comes to living a life faith in Jesus’ love and authority.  

This woman is a mum, and she has a daughter wo is suffering some kind of debilitating disease or demonic oppression that is not good for her.  

We hear a conversation between a Jesus looking for some anonymity and respite far away from his home region and a needy mother who is quite persistent even though she seems to get a firm ‘no’ for her initial request for freeing of her daughter.  

Jesus does listen and he does seem to allow for his plans to change to meet this need as expressed by this person in great need.  

Maybe we are being encouraged to pray because God will listen and change his plan to meet us where we are at – but it may take some time………