Praying Specifically
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has healed you.” And instantly the blind man could see! Mark 10:51-52
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When the blind beggar Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was nearby, he cried out for mercy and compassion. But as soon as Bartimaeus came to Jesus, Christ led him to be even more specific in his request by asking, “What do you want me to do for you [italics added]?” The blind man, in only a few words, prayed the most heartfelt prayer: “Teacher, I want to see!” In complete faith he asked for God’s healing because the Lord had led him to ask. Jesus prompted the man’s request by asking him to speak his heart’s desire.
Christ asks you the same question: What do you, [your name], want me to do for you? When we approach God in prayer, he wants us to come with as much wholehearted desire and longing as Bartimaeus had and to trust him for the answer. As his Spirit leads us in praying more specifically and honestly, we will begin to see and be awed by his grace, goodness, and glory. The faith that it takes to voice sincere, deeply felt, and earnest prayers places us in a position to experience great and mighty things from a great and mighty God.
Prayers:
LORD, help me to follow as your precious Spirit leads me to pray about the deep longings of my heart . . . for your glory. Thank you for caring about every detail of my heart and my life. I long to please you, Lord, in every request I make before your throne of grace.
Quotes:
God sees to it that when the whole man prays, in turn the whole man shall be blessed.
E. M. Bounds (1835–1913)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are Leviticus 25:47–27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17 and Proverbs 10:22.
