BE HONEST
Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
Matthew 20:32-33 (NIV)
Jesus wants to know what you want. You may be thinking, doesn't He already know what I want if He knows everything? Yes, He does, which tells us there's something more here driving His instruction to ask. His invitation to share what you want is not fueled by a need for knowledge. Rather, it's a desire for intimacy.
We see this on display in Matthew 20:29-34. This passage records the account of two blind men sitting alongside a road near Jericho. When they heard the clamor of a crowd, they realized that Jesus was passing by, so they shouted Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us! The crowd warned them to be quiet, but the men again cried out with greater passion, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!
Jesus stopped, directed His attention towards the men, and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The men responded as you might expect. They wanted to see! They wanted healing. They wanted to be made well. How do you think Jesus responded? Do you think He looked at them and said well, that sure is a selfish request. I can't believe you're asking me for healing when so many other people need my help.
No, no. That's not at all how Jesus responded. Scripture tells us that Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him (Matthew 20:34). The men's honest plea to Jesus ignited His compassion, and they experienced the intimacy of His healing touch and began walking with Him as His newest followers.
Jesus isn't looking for overly spiritualized prayers. Tell Him what you want. You don't have to pretty it up or tell Him what you think He wants to hear. He knows your heart. It's in the honesty and the vulnerability that you experience His compassion and develop intimacy with the Living God as He meets or refines your desires.
APPLICATION: How would you respond if Jesus looked at you and said, what do you want me to do for you?
PRAYER: God, I'm so grateful that You encourage me to honestly share my desires with You. Meet me with Your compassion as I share my wants with You and heal the places in me that need Your loving touch. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?