Powerful Prayer Part 2　　

14 January 2022

The new year 2022 has started. I think there are many important things in Christian life, but the most important of these is prayer. Because through prayer we connect with God, experience God’s miracles, and the Holy Spirit comes to work. Let’s take a look at Bartemai in the New Testament.

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” ⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10: 46-52)

A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting by the side of the road (verse 46). He couldn’t work because he couldn’t see. So he couldn’t make any money and was forced into a situation where he had to beg. He wouldn’t have hope for his future. He was desperate for life. How about you? Do you have any hope for this year and your life?

Although Bartimaeus was desperate, he heard the news that “Jesus of Nazareth would pass by” (verse 47). At that time, hope arose in Bartimaeus’s heart. Faith was given to him. Because he knew a little about Jesus. he was listening to the rumors of Jesus, who was a super famous man at the time. He heals people’s illnesses and he even opens the eyes of a blind man.

As written in John 9: 1-7, Jesus spit on the ground, made mud from the spit, and smeared the mud in the eyes of the blind. “Go and wash in the pond of Siloam.” When he went and washed, he became visible. I think Bartimaeus had heard such news. That’s why hope has risen. When we hear the Words of the Bible, we are given hope and faith.

If we want to be people of faith, we must read the Bible. Because faith begins with listening. Bible says, ” Faith begins with hearing, and hearing is by the Word of Christ ” (Romans 10:17).

Bartimaeus heard the rumor of Jesus and was given faith. He knew that Jesus could pass in front of him and would have thought that this was the only chance. If I missed this chance, Jesus would never pass in front of me. He believed that God’s work would be revealed to me as well as that blind man healed in the pond of Siloam.

And as Jesus tried to pass in front of him, Bartimaeus shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ” The son of David” is a Messianic title. That is, He called “Jesus the Savior.” When we call on God, Jesus, and pray, it is important to know exactly who God is and who Jesus is. To help with that is to know the name of God. God is Yahweh Rafa (Healer). He is Yahweh Nishi (flag of victory), Yahweh Shalom (Lord of peace), and Yahweh Irue (Lord of preparation).

Through reading the Bible, we can find out who Jesus is. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Light, the Alpha and Omega (first and last) who governs everything. That Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13: 8). He is still alive and can perform miracles. Prayer can be decisively different depending on whether we can really believe it. Will it end with just a religious prayer, or will it be a prayer that truly approaches God.

People tried to silence Bartimaeus (verse 48). But he never gave up. He continued to shout, ” Son of David, have mercy on me. “

Then what about? Jesus stopped (verse 49). It is very important not to give up. There would have been many people on the roadside who had various problems besides Bartimaeus. However, few people shouted and prayed to Jesus. Not praying is the biggest loss in our life. Because the prayer of faith moves the heart of Jesus. It will attract the attention of Jesus and draw the power of miracles from God.

Jesus called him (verse 49). When he was called, he took off his coat and immediately stood up and went to Jesus (verse 50). At that time, the blind were said to have been dressed exclusively for the blind. This is to get alms so that others can see. But he took off his coat. It was courageous. He may not be able to receive the alms anymore. But he decided to take off his coat. He decided to take off his old self and take a new step.

Jesus asked Bartimaeus. ” What do you want me to do for you? ” (Verse 51). He replied, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus is asking us what we want him to do. It is important for us to say aloud and confess. Jesus knew Bartimaeus’ wishes. But Jesus asked him to confess. Jesus knows our wishes, but wants to hear them from our mouth. Therefore, it is important to convey our wishes to God with prayer.

Jesus said to him. “your faith has healed you.” (Verse 52) In parallel Luke 18:42, it says, ” Be visible. Your faith has healed you. ”

The proclamation of Jesus, the Healer, made him immediately visible (verse 52). Bartimaeus, who experienced God’s work, followed Jesus. That is, he became a disciple of Jesus. Let us also have a year of walking as a disciple of Jesus, a year of following Jesus, and a year of spiritual growth and maturity.

It is Jesus who heals, but the faith of Bartimaeus has drawn the healing power from Jesus. If the prayer of faith reaches God, the answer to the prayer will come down. The Holy Spirit works by prayer, and the work of God occurs. In 2022, the Lord Jesus asks each of us, “What do you want me to do for you? ” Let us speak out, pray, and confess.

Experiencing the answers to prayer is very important in Christian life. By answering prayers, faith becomes alive and we can follow Jesus more and more. That was what Bartimaeus experienced. He experienced the power of prayer and the power of faith and walked as a disciple of Jesus. Let’s make this year a year in which we can experience the power of prayer. Don’t give up like Bartimaeus and keep praying. Jesus promised. ” Seek (keep asking) , and you will be given. ” (Matthew 7: 7)

Andrew Murray is famous as a prayer giant. You can learn a lot about prayer through his book. By learning prayer, you will be able to offer more powerful prayers.

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