PRAY SPECIFICALLY
“And stopping, Jesus called them and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:32-34).
Our Lord loves to hear us talk (pray) to Him. We can be confident that He hears us and will answer us. He knows us intimately, yet wants us to share our hearts, thoughts, and requests specifically… not vaguely. Matthew 20 illustrates this so beautifully, as the blind men cry out “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
Their persistence wasn’t enough as they “cried out all the more.” Even their faith wasn’t enough as they knew who Jesus was when they called out, “Lord have mercy on us, Son of David.” Jesus did not answer their prayer until they told Him specifically that they wanted to receive their sight. Then Jesus had compassion and immediately answered their request by healing their eyesight.
There is power that God wants us to understand when we spend time with Him in specific prayer. In fact, the Bible gives us many examples of people who prayed specifically:
Abraham’s servant, Eliezer: He was sent to find a wife for Isaac. “Then he prayed, Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today and show kindness to my master Abraham” (Genesis 24:12).
Isaac: When Isaac and Rebekah couldn’t have children. “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer and his wife Rebekah became pregnant” (Genesis 25:21).
Elijah: When Elijah wanted the weather to be changed. “Elijah was as completely human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed again, this time that it would rain, and down it poured, and the grass turned green and the gardens began to grow again” (James 5:17-18).
Jesus: He prayed specifically many times, even in His suffering. “Once more Jesus went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done’” (John 17:11).
We, too, must pray specifically! Even though Jesus knows our very thoughts, He doesn’t want us to be vague. Jesus is our Savior, yet also our friend. He wants us to speak to Him as directly and specifically as we would to a dear friend we confide in. He’s interested in every detail of our lives.
He loves us unconditionally and we can trust Him as we open our hearts to Him. We can share our deepest secrets, hopes, and joys, as well as our pain, doubts, worries, and fears. It doesn’t mean we always get what we ask for, but we can trust Him, knowing He has our best interest at heart. Knowing that draws us closer to Him, strengthens our relationship and faith in Him, and in turn helps us to grow spiritually and brings us peace, joy, and the freedom to shine His love to others.
Let us pray specifically like Jesus and these people of faith. Let’s pray specifically for the message of Christ to be shared and received for the salvation of all who hear! The Palau ministry does this beautifully as they proclaim the Gospel. Will you join me on January 23rd as we specifically pray for the work they are doing globally?
Praying Specifically,
Gail Stockamp
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).