Luke 18:35-43, As they approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. So be began shouting, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ The crowds ahead of Jesus tried to hush the man, but he only shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be bought to him.
Then Jesus asked the man, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord,’ he pleaded, ‘I want to see!’ And Jesus said, ‘All right, you can see! Your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. (NLT) From this miracle, we find five keys of prayer that open the door to God’s extraordinary grace and power.
He began shouting, ‘Jesus, have mercy on me.’…he shouted louder When you pray, put your heart into it.
Jeremiah 29:13, When you get serous about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. (Message) We need to be delivered from perfunctory prayer.
God has a tool to reach you how to pray passionately:
PAIN
…the crowds tried to hush him, but he only shouted louder.
Remember this acrostic:
P: Pray
U: Until
S: Something
H: Happens
Persistent prayer is important because…
It shows you care about what you are praying.
God can guide you as you continue to pray.
God is preparing your heart for what he wants to do.
Colossians 4:2, Don’t be weary in prayer. Keep at it.
Watch for God’s answers. (LB)
‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see’
Our prayers are too vague.
Vague praying is lazy praying.
Vague praying is faithless praying.
‘You can see. Your faith has healed you.’
Expect God to act.
Few of us have perfect faith, but take whatever faith you have and place it in Jesus.
Mark 9:22-24, ‘If you can do anything, do it. Help us.’ Jesus said, ‘If? There are no “ifs” among believers.
Anything can happened.’ The father cried, ‘ Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!’ (Message) Build your faith by knowing God’s Word.
He followed Jesus, praising God.
Gratitude is an essential ingredient in meaningful prayer.
Philippians 4:6, In all your prayers, ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. What specific miracle do you need today? Write it out in the space below: