Prayer Journal for Sunday 10/27/2024
Pray: For Courage to Do Justice, UMH 456
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without support; let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed and use me to bring them to those places. And open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for You. Amen.
Read: Mark 10:46-52
Healing of blind Bartimaeus
46 Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. 47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” 48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.”
They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”
52 Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.
Apply:
Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again’” (Mark 10:51.)
· What do you want Jesus to help you see?
· How do you think Jesus is calling you to see his presence in
your life as well as the needs of those around you?
· Discuss some ways you and your church can think of people who are crying out for help and how God might be calling you to be in ministry in new ways
·
Yield:
What are the resources you can provide to help somebody in need around you?
Engage:
How will you engage this week and be the hands and feet of Jesus?
Remember:
Praise God for showing up in your life. Remember all the blessings the Lord has provided and pass them on to a family member, friend, or neighbor.
Sermon Notes:
So today, I ask you: What do you want Jesus to do for you? Take a moment to reflect on this question. What is the cry of your heart? Is it peace in a difficult relationship? Is it strength in a time of uncertainty? Is it clarity for your future? Or maybe, like Bartimaeus, you need to ask, “Lord, let me see.” Not just with your physical eyes, but with the eyes of your heart. Ask Him, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You.” And as you ask, expect that He will respond. Expect that He will open your eyes not only to His power and love, but to His presence in every part of your life. Like Bartimaeus, when Jesus opens your eyes, you will find yourself following Him more closely, seeing His glory, and living in the light of His grace. When Jesus opens the eyes of your heart, you don’t just see things more clearly—you see God more clearly. You begin to see His hand guiding you, His love sustaining you, and His power working through you. And like Bartimaeus, you are no longer sitting by the roadside; you are walking in the way of the Lord that leads to eternal life. So today, as you leave here, let this be your prayer: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You, high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your glory.” And as you pray that, believe that Jesus will answer, just as He answered Bartimaeus.Amen.
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