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BE SPECIFIC IN PRESENTING YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD

Bartimaeus was a blind man who had remained in that condition until the day Jesus and His disciples were on their way up to Jerusalem (see Mark 10:32-34). It was time for Bartimaeus to exercise his faith. However he was specific about his desire when they rencountered. For this reason, everything about him changed instantly. Let's find out how his faith perceived its opportunity.


Reference: Mark 10:51 New International Version (NIV) '"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see"'


Bartimaeus was prepared and desperate for a change. 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me', He screamed. Many rebuked him telling him to keep quiet, but he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Compassionately, Jesus responded with a question: 'What do you want me to do for you?' Remember that Jesus asked a man who was crippled for 38 years, a similar question: 'Do you want to get well?' Yes or no? But the man wasn't specific with his desire: "Sir," the disabled replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred..." (see John 5:6-7).


Bartimaeus was readily prepared to mention his request. He knew what He wanted: "Rabbi, I want to see." Let Jesus know about it. It's not enough to just pray about anything you remember or generalise your prayer, or assume that Jesus is aware of all your needs because He is all-knowing. You must be specific about your requests in prayer. That way, an understanding in communication is established. By being specific in his request, Bartimaeus got what he wanted. He was ready and determined to go all the way, to get Jesus' attention. He persevered until Jesus stopped and addressed his problem.


When you go to God in prayer, do you beat around the bush? Have you thought of analysing and listing your needs in order of importance? What do you really want the Lord to do for you? What is that change you want to experience, and in what area(s) of your life? Are you still in the dark as to what you really desire? God is a God of order; therefore we must come to Him prepared.


I'm convinced that the blind Bartimaeus' incident would raise a dust of question in someone's mind today, such as: Have I been specific about what I really want, need, or desire? Have I properly written down my goals, desires and requests? Or am I living my daily life, assuming that whatever will happen will happen, without any definite expectation? Bartimaeus was blind, but He knew what he wanted anyway. He was ever ready to voice it. And even after Jesus restored his sight and sent him away, the man knew what next to do. He didn't stop at receiving his sight; he immediately followed Jesus (Mark 10:52 NKJV). That means, he went for divine direction afterwards.


Bartimaeus is a model personality, worthy of notice. There are people who have a nonchalant attitude of "I don't really know what I want" or those who live a life of "anything goes". But its time to learn from Bartimaeus today and make the right changes in the manner we present our requests to God or in the way we plan our lives according to His purpose. Certainly, 'anything goes' mentality can paralyse your ability to exercise your faith in God and defeat the purpose of taking the responsibility of defining your desires and pursuing it.


If you don't know what you want in life, it means that you are willing to accept anything life gives you. Living that way is living a purposeless and unfulfilled life because you'll always be at the mercy of whatever comes your way, and you'll take such as your fate. However, God created you with a specific purpose which usually attracts the very desires you hold in your heart - and your responsibility is to note them down in the order of importance and keep making those requests to God through prayer and supplication until you see them manifest in your life.


Maybe, you are in a situation that seems to keep you blind as to what to do, but have you looked into it to understand how to be specific in addressing it before God? If you've done so, have you been specific about it in prayer? And finally, when God intervenes, do you know what next to do or where you are going? Can you see the light ahead of you? Are you aware that unfavourable situations don't dictate who you are or your destination? Blind Bartimaeus knew all this. For this reason, he was prepared waiting for the right opportunity to act and obtain divine transformation. Before the Master's voice echoed, 'What do you want me to do for you?', he was ready for the moment. He wasn't taken unawares. This means, his preparation met the right opportunity for a change.


As you constantly enjoy your fellowship with God, there'll always be an opportunity to express your needs and hopes or share your dreams with Him for proper direction. At that point, He expects you to be clear with your expectations and be specific with your heart's desires so you can receive divine answers, counsel or insight about them according to His perfect will. At such times, you can't afford to be caught unprepared. Always be ready to express your specific needs before the Lord, just like Bartimaeus, who was formerly blind.


Scripture Reading - Mark 10:46-52; Psalm 21:2; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 37:4; Proverbs 16:1-3; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; James 4:2.


Guided Prayer: Thank you heavenly Father for empowering me to fellowship with you daily, trusting that you are more than able to do all I ask or imagine. As I present my desires in a specific manner, marked by exactness and accuracy of expression, I'm blessed and favoured with all my expectations and I live joyfully in their manifestations, in Jesus' Name, Amen!



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