5/4/2019
On the day before a major surgery, I shared with my friend
that I was really scared about the procedure. "What part scares you?" she
inquired. "I'm just so afraid that I won't wake up from the anesthesia," I
replied. Immediately, Anne prayed: "Father, you know all about Cindy's fear.
Please calm her heart and fill her with Your peace. And, Lord, please wake her
up after surgery."
I think God likes that kind of specificity when we talk to
Him. When Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, called out to Jesus for help, Jesus
said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said, "Rabboni,
that I may receive my sight!" Jesus said, "Go your way; your faith has made you
well" (Mark 10:51-52).
We don't need to beat around the bush with God. While there
may be a time to pray poetically as David did, there are also times to say
bluntly, "God, I'm so sorry for what I just said," or to say simply, "Jesus, I
love You because . . . ." Being specific with God can even be a sign of faith
because we are acknowledging that we know we're not talking to a far-off Being
but to a real Person who loves us intimately.
God is not impressed by a flurry of fanciful words. He is
listening for what our heart is saying.
Blind Bartimaeus
Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples,
together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus
(which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he
heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David,
have mercy on me!"
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted
all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said,
"Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's
calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to
Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man
said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Our Daily Bread