“When Jesus heard them, He stopped and called, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’” (Matthew 20:32 NLT)
Too often we conclude the Lord hasn’t answered our prayer when the problem may be that our request was asked too generally. We’re prone to ask “globally,” rather than specifically. For example, we may be having a migraine headache, but instead of asking the Lord to “please relieve this unbearable pain in my head,” we say, “Lord, bless me in my time of need” or something similarly generic.
In the verse above Jesus is asking two blind men what they wanted Him to do for them. If there was ever an obvious need it was then, but Jesus takes nothing for granted – with them or with us. I love what Pastor Rick Warren wrote (See Daily Hope When You Ask God for a Reset, Be Specific – 03-24-23): “Nothing becomes transforming until it becomes specific. You can ask God anytime for a fresh start in your life. But you don’t just say, ‘God, I want you to change me.’ He wants to know what you have in mind! You cannot solve any problem until you first identify it as a problem—and that means you have to admit that there are problems in your life. The more specific you are about what you want God to change in your life, the sooner it’s going to happen.”
What do you want the Lord to do for you today? I realize a lot of people today don’t write checks but humor me and think of a time when you did. Think of the check as your prayer. Who will you make it payable to and for what “amount.”
When you write the proverbial check to heaven, have something specific in mind. If your marriage is in trouble, rather than asking the Lord to “bless my marriage,” ask Him to give you wisdom, insight, understanding to enable you to be a better husband/wife; or to give you insight into why you have such a short fuse and are so easily angered; or ask Him: “Lord, I’ve been so impatient and unkind to my spouse/kids/others, thank You for enabling me to trust You to show me how to be more patient, loving, kind, and caring.”
You may be interested to know I haven’t asked the Lord to heal me from Alzheimer’s. Instead I’ve asked Him to have His way in my life and to allow me to use the opportunities He will give me to meet and interact with new people as divine appointments. He always has a plan and He wouldn’t have allowed this disease to attack my life unless He intended it for my good and His glory.
In my mind there’s no greater good than to be used to point someone to Him. Think of the heartache, fear, and uncertainty that fills someone with such a dreadful diagnosis. And how much more willing will they be to listen to someone who also shares their diagnosis? I’m actually excited to walk this new pathway with the Lord. I’m looking forward to how He will allow me to be used to share His love and faithfulness with those who are struggling to make it through.
Whatever you’re having to deal with in this season of your life, if you know Jesus ask Him specifically to help you address it and to guide you through it to His honor and fame. Fear is not necessary when you know whose hand you’re holding on the journey.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 