Praying When You Don’t Even Know What You Want

A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting by the side of the road. When he heard that Jesus was nearby, he began to shout to get Jesus’ attention. When Jesus heard the man shouting, he called Bartimaeus to come to him. “’What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked.  “ ’My rabbi,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see.’ ”   Mark 10:51

 

What do you want me to do for you? What a good question! Of course, Jesus knew the answer, but he wanted Bartimaeus to voice his deepest desire – to be healed. The blind beggar expressed his prayer plainly and honestly, knowing in his heart that Jesus had the power to restore his sight. And Jesus didn’t disappoint. Immediately, because of his great faith in Jesus, the blind man could see. If Jesus called you by name and asked you this same question, what would be your response? The following meditation by author Sarah Bessey gives us an opportunity to ponder an answer:

Settle down into the silence. Close your eyes.

    Inhale.

Speak the name of God that rises to your lips:

Jesus, Mother, Abba, Yahweh, Father, God, Spirit,

Simply let it be what it is.

    Exhale.

Imagine God calling you by your name.

And hear God say to you, as Jesus said to the blind man who called out to him,

What do you want me to do for you?

    Inhale. Exhale.

And answer honestly.

 

Prayer: Calling God, when I hear you say my name, may I respond plainly and honestly like Bartimaeus. And may my deepest desire be to know and serve you.  Amen. 

Francie Winslow