Our Daily Bread Teens EditionSample

Read Mark 10:46–52

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.

Be Specific

The day before a big operation, I told my friend that I was really scared about it. “What part scares you?” she asked. “I’m afraid that I won’t wake up from the anaesthetic,” I replied. Immediately, Anne prayed, “Father, you know about Cindy’s fear. Please calm her, fill her with Your peace and wake her up after surgery.”

I think God likes that kind of specific detail 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?” The blind man answered, “Rabbi, I want to see.” So Jesus said, “Go . . . your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:51–52).

We don’t have to be afraid to ask God for things directly. While there may be a time to pray poetically as David did in Psalms, there are also times to say bluntly, “God, I’m so sorry for what I just said.” Or to say simply, “Jesus, please help me solve this math question.” Being specific with God can be an expression of our trust in Him. It helps us remember that we’re not talking to a God who is far away, but to a real Person who knows what we’re going through, is interested in the details of our lives, and loves us more than we can imagine.

God is not impressed by lots of fancy words. He is listening for what we’re actually saying. –CHK

Prayer is having open and honest conversations with God.

And… Action!

Spend the next 5 minutes telling God something that you were hesitant to before. Or ask Him for something you need but feel bad asking for. You can do this every day!

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