Thoughts for Life: #4 Be Specific

~ Cindy Hess Kasper- On the day before a major surgery, I shared with my friend that I was really scared about the procedure. "What part scares you?" she inquired. "I'm just so afraid that I won't wake up from the anesthesia," I replied.

Immediately, Anne prayed: "Father, you know all about Cindy's fear. Please calm her heart and fill her with Your peace. And, Lord, please wake her up after surgery." (Google image, Preparing for surgery)

I think God likes that kind of specificity when we talk to Him. When Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, called out to Jesus for help, Jesus said, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said, "My Rabbi . . . I want to see!" Jesus said, "Go, for your faith has healed you" (Mark 10:51-52).

We don't need to beat around the bush with God. While there may be a time to pray poetically as David did, there are also times to say bluntly, "God, I'm so sorry for what I just said," or to say simply, "Jesus, I love You because . . . . " Being specific with God can even be a sign of faith because we are acknowledging that we know we're not talking to a far-off Being but to a real Person who loves us intimately.

God is not impressed by a flurry of fanciful words. He is listening for what our heart is saying.

Let's pray-

Father, when it comes to a surgery, or something else that frightens us, may we be specific in our request for Your help. Speaking to you of our need in simplicity is the challenge.

As the beggar called out to Jesus that day, may we also speak of our specific needs, acknowledging your Ability to help us. Forgive us when we "beat around the bush" and don't name our problem at hand. May we learn that You want us to be specific and to name our need.

Our acknowledging Who You are, and of Your ability to be listening to what our hearts are actually saying, there's no need for us to be vague about what we'd like You to do for us.

Forgive us for being vague, and help us be specific from now on. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen

Today's Bible verses-

Mark 10:52 "Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has saved you.' Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road."

Isaiah 49:13 “I will show tender love to those who are suffering and have compassion on them.”

Lamentations 3:21-24, NASB “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope, The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy Faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’”

Quote for today-

~ Dr. Myles Munroe- God created you the way you are, with all the potential you need deposited within you so you can fulfill your potential in this life. The opinions of others should never determine your self-worth. Your identity is not found in the prejudgments of others, but in the Source from which you came: God, Your Father and Creator. Jesus came to restore you to your rightful position and to reveal to you the awesome potential that is trapped inside you. [p. 194 of DISCOVER THE HIDDEN YOU,

Words of wisdom-

~ Let's learn s lesson from a persistent bird who keeps banging into a window, thinking his reflection is a rival. Do you keep trying to do something, thinking you're going to change its outcome to suit you? Maybe it's time to let the Lord handle it. He is well able to, and He'll make things turn out far better than your persistent, stubborn efforts.

Today's Popular post-

Who Are You?