What do you want Me to do for you?

What do you want me to do for you?

As Christmas draws close, I am feeling pressure to complete my gift buying.  I asked a few people on my list what they would like.  Some of them were very helpful in providing a specific list but others offered very little assistance.

This experience caused me to consider, “How specific am I in my prayer requests?

Throughout the Christmas story we see a human dependence on God expressed through prayer.  Zechariah prayed, while all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.  Mary prayed through song.  Anna never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Jesus, the main character of Christmas is known for His extended times in prayer.

Many years after the manger, as Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man sitting by the roadside called out, “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!”  (Luke 18:38) Jesus’s reply is very interesting!  ““What do you want me to do for you?” ”  (vs 41) Jesus asked him to be specific in his request!  “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

I asked those on my Christmas gift list for specific gift ideas because I wanted to bless them.  Jesus wants us to be specific in our prayers because He desires to bless us. When the blind man immediately received his sight, he “followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” (vs 43)

When we are blessed through answered prayers, our response is to follow and praise Him, and when others see it, they also praise God.  God is glorified through answered prayers.

Consider how you can be more specific in your own prayers and be ready to give God full praise should He answer your specific request!  We may not receive the answer we hope for but oh how praise worthy is the Father whom we ask!

Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky

EDITED – Originally written for Immanuel Baptist Church 2016 

 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash