Praying in Desperation

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" "Be quiet!" the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Matthew 20:30

When the blind men heard that Jesus was coming their way, they began shouting for mercy. No doubt they had heard that Jesus had healed people. Maybe, just maybe, he might heal them. So they started yelling at Jesus.

Those who had gathered near the blind men to welcome Jesus were, in all likelihood, embarrassed by the men's desperate cries. Here was a holy man coming to visit them, and his welcome would be marred by the invasive yells for help. Couldn't those men just shut up so they didn't bother the holy man?

But the blind men kept on yelling. After all, what did they have to lose? Their physical handicap had already put them outside polite society. They had lost their honor by being forced to beg. So what if their neighbors were peeved at them for yelling at Jesus! They were desperate men with no hope besides the mercy of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever called out to God in desperation? Have you ever found yourself wanting to cry out to God, but silencing your prayers because they didn't seem to be polite? To whom do you relate in this story: to the blind men, or to the crowd? Why?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, when I read about these blind men, I'm reminded of times when I have cried out to you in desperation. There haven't been people around me to try and silence me. But I can play the role of the crowd quite well. I can tell myself that I'm wearing out my welcome, that you already know my needs so why bother to repeat them, that I should have more faith and stop pestering you. Underneath my reticence in prayer is a need for self-sufficiency. I don't want to be desperate, even for you. I want to be able to control my life and to solve my own problems.

Forgive me, Lord, for my pretense. Forgive me for failing to approach your throne of grace with boldness, according to your invitation (Heb. 4:16). Help me to be like the blind men, who were willing to stake everything on you. Teach me to call out to you often and without hesitation. Amen!