What do you want me to do for you?

What do you want me to do for you? “Lord, I want to see.” Luke 18:41

Today’s passage was from a conversation Jesus had with a blind man. It may sound strange at first glance because if you were blind and the Savior of the world asked what He could do for you, the obvious request would be to restore your sight. The man responded that he wanted to see. When we pray, we want to see God answer our requests, but we often make those requests of God from a place of blindness. Our prayers are frequently based on our own limited perspective, by our own desires, our own comfort and will, not seeing what God knows is best.

We want healing. We want restored relationships both with people and with God. We want the prodigals to return. We want peace and provision. We want our lives to be pain-free and stress-free, but is that really God’s plan? If all those prayers were answered the way we wanted, would we really be better off? While they seem wonderful on the outside, the truth is that if they were answered the way we want them to be, would that make our relationship with God better? Probably not.

The apostle Paul was given a thorn in his side that was not removed after many prayers because God’s grace was sufficient. Meaning that the issue that plagued him actually kept him closer to God and more dependent on Him. God wants a real relationship with us. One based on love and trust, regardless of the circumstances. Not fair-weather devotion.

When I was praying the other day, I prayed that His peace and presence would surround me. What a lovely prayer request. God quickly asked why I wasn’t praying to live in His power and strength. I then prayed to see things from His perspective, and He asked, “Do you really?” That would mean seeing Him in the midst of the unanswered prayers and still believing that He is a good and loving God. I began to realize that my prayers were very pious and shallow. I was praying for my will, my comfort, and my desires for others. I was sitting on the sidelines in the comfort of the shadows, and God was inviting me to get on the field and participate.

Then I asked Him what He would want me to pray, and His response was, “Lord, let me get uncomfortable, walk out of the shadows, and get out of the safety zone. Let me experience your divine mountain-moving power and tremble in awe of You.” That is a prayer I know He will answer, and it will require me to stop playing it safe with surface-level faith. It will challenge me to step out in the power of God with the authority that He has given me as an Ambassador of Christ. It will deepen my relationship with Him as I dig deep into His Word for understanding and as I discover more of His Godly character through the divine encounters that await.

Now, my answer to today’s question, “What do you want me to do for you?” is, Lord, I want you to give me the courage to step out in bold faith and trust You in every circumstance. I want to know You more. I want to see Your hand in my life and the lives of those around me. I believe that You will instruct and teach me to pray Your will and that as I trust in Your timing, everything will come together according to Your perfect design.