Be Specific

Mark 10:46-52

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with
His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son
of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it
was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son
of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be
quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy
on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer.
Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose
and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What
do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him,
“Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him,
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately
he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The question Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”, seemed obvious, didn’t it? Everybody present knew Bartimaeus needed his eyes to be healed. Why would Jesus ask this question?

He wanted us to understand how important it is to be specific when we ask something of God. Bartimaeus’ faith had to become specific before it made him well. It was after he said, “Lord, that I might receive my sight,” that Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.”

Being specific in what you request of God is the first key to effective prayer.

Matthew 6:7-8 SAYS

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

When i first read this verse when i was a young kid, i told my self, i don't have to ask God for everything, since he already knew what i want, what i need. And i thought, most of our prayer is all about asking isn't it? So if God already knew what I need even before i pray, and most of my prayer content is all about asking (me me mine, my.. me me me). Why should we bother pray? Perhaps some of you readers have had this kind of train of thought in your mind once. =P But i was wondering, maybe Jesus had something else in his mind when he says those words (Mat 6:7-8). Maybe what he meant was far from what i thought, what about if Jesus was trying to say that prayer is much more than just asking? Way different to what we think what prayer is.

We don't come to our earthly parent or maybe friend, and fill most of our conversation with request, petition and complaints, do we? We do want to enjoy relationship with them, we have laughter, we have some jokes, we share stories, etc. Prayer is more than just a list of requests, however, God is pleased when you're raise petitions and ask him to supply your needs, to intervene in your life, because that means you involve Him and declaring that He's the source of what you ask.
Be specific when you ask God, and pray with faith that He knows what's best for you.