Most of my adult life I’ve done fundraising in some capacity. I’ve raised money for charities and political campaigns. I’ve asked for all kinds of donations: from cars to vacation packages to table sponsorships to multi-million dollar grants. While I know that most people hate asking for money, personally I’d much rather ask for money for a charity or political campaign than to ask for something for myself.
I struggle with clearly asking for what I want or need in professional settings, friendships, close intimate relationships.
The same is true for my prayer life.
I have no problem reciting a list of needs to God, especially when the needs are for other people. I struggle a little more when I am asking for things for myself – wisdom, to be a good wife and mom, to be disciplined in my walk with him – but I also know God says to ask for those and wants me to do them.
But I spend very little time having any really deep conversations with God about the desires of my heart. My personal battles. The temptations I struggle with. The wars I feel like I keep losing. The ugly stuff.
In Luke 18, Jesus gave two examples of people petitioning God for what they wanted.
The first (Luke 18:1-8) was a parable about a widow who kept coming to a judge with her plea for justice against an adversary. He finally gave in because of her persistence.
The second (Luke 18:35-43) was a blind beggar who came to Jesus and asked for mercy. Jesus asked him specifically what he wanted Jesus to do for him, and he told Jesus he wanted to see. Because of his faith, Jesus healed him.
But what if the blind beggar didn’t just ask for his physical eyes to be healed. What if he asked for salvation and for eyes to see both physically and spiritually? Jesus asked the man specifically what he wanted Jesus to do for him and the man could have asked for anything.
Do I do the same thing? Am I shortchanging myself by not being bold and thinking big when I come before the Maker of the Universe?
Lessons Learned about Prayer in Luke 18:
- BE BOLD!
- Keep asking God over and over. Don’t give up on my prayers.
- Cry out to God day and night.
- Ask with faith.
- Don’t just ask for the minimum. Think big.
Becoming Mary 