When it comes to praying things can be a bit confusing. How do you pray correctly? What do you say to God? Should you pray for yourself or only others? Is it selfish to pray for yourself? Should you ask for miraculous things to happen? And then there are all of the times we have asked for something and and no answer came. What do you make of that? Many times we just give up all together. Perhaps these thoughts can help.
Jesus desires to help us
In Matthew 20 there is a great story captured about two blind men. As Jesus is walking along the road on his way to Jerusalem, two blind men start crying out to him, saying “Have mercy on us!” The crowd heard them and tried to shut them up, but they kept right on yelling for help. Amazingly Jesus stops to address them. He asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Due to the fact that our lives are often filled with trouble and heartache, it’s hard to believe that God actually cares about our circumstances. It is easy to conclude that He is not present in the world today or even involved because of all the evil that takes place.
Many people think, “If God were present, He wouldn’t allow all of the trouble.” But He is present. And these men were blind. God has reasons for the pain. When Jesus heard their cries for help he was moved with compassion. It was time for Him to intervene and bring healing. Jesus cares about your circumstances as well. We can pray and pray boldly because we know that He cares for and loves us. Peter tells us, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” I Peter 5:7
You must be clear on what you want
If Jesus came to you today and asked you what he could do for you, would you have a clear answer? The problem with prayer many times is that we really don’t know what to pray for or about. We are not clear on what we need. Let me ask you, what burden are you carrying right now in your life? What issue has really got you down? Is it a relationship? A bad habit? Is it a crushing feeling of guilt and shame? The key to successful prayer is clarity. These men knew exactly what they wanted. They said, “We want to see!” They had heard that Jesus was one who performed miracles. They had heard that he could heal people who were broken and sick. And this was their chance get in on the action. They were not going to miss out! So they cried all the louder. Are you clear on what you you need?
Your request must align with the will of God
Jesus is not a genie in a bottle granting people three wishes. He is a Great King who is running a kingdom. John gives insight on how prayer works when he says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” I John 5:14,15 .The things we ask of God must be things that align with what He wants to do this this world. When Jesus heard the cries of the blind men, He felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see. Sometimes we ask God for things that are not within his will, at least at the time we ask. And so the answer is a “no” or “not yet”. In these situations we must trust that our loving heavenly Father is trustworthy and knows what we do not know. Many times I do not give my children what they ask for because I know more than they do. I know that if I grant their request, ultimately, it would not go well with them. Our heavenly Father knows what is best for us. We must trust Him.
The Ultimate Goal
After these men were healed they “followed him” Vs. 34. Jesus is interested in your life. He wants to bring healing and wholeness. These things are very important to Him. However the most important thing to Him is the direction of your life. Where are you headed? Who are you following? How are you trying to find happiness and satisfaction? Jesus must have known that if he healed these men, it would alter the direction and path of their life. Indeed, it did. Ultimately, Jesus is concerned about you following Him. He is the source of all that you need. True peace and joy are found in him. He invites you to follow him.
Prayer can be a challenge to figure out. However it is not a mystery. God has given us enough insight to be able to pray with boldness and confidence in order to see results. You must believe that God loves us and wants to help. You must have clarity on what you want, and your request must be according to his will.
How have you seen God answers your prayers in the past? Share in the comments below.
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