November 20, 2023
The Blind Man’s Prayer
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
Luke 18:38

The blind man doesn’t know what the commotion is about. So, he asks those who can see. Then, when he learns it is Jesus who is passing by, he creates a big scene. He shouts to Jesus. The crowd tells him to “shush,” but the man cries out again—so loudly that even Jesus hears him above the din. Jesus stops and asks for the blind man to be brought over. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks. Without hesitation, the man tells him. Then Jesus immediately cures his blindness, saying it was the man’s faith that miraculously restored his sight.

This story raises questions about our own prayer. How eager are we to see Jesus? How in touch are we with our deepest needs? Is our prayer too orderly, or do we trust Jesus enough to make a fuss at times? How much do we appreciate the miracle of our own faith?

Jesus, please let me see.

- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 • Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 • Luke 18:35-43

Comments

Janet a.k.a. "Sunshine" Respond to comment
November 20, 2023 at 09:15 PM

Good Evening L.F.F. I wish You All to have a Blessed Thanksgiving Week. Today is my Eldest Son Stephen's R.I.P. 43rd Heavenly Birthday. He passed away from horrendous cancer in 2009 at the young age of 28. I Miss my Son very much. Again I wish All on here and your families a Blessed, safe Thanksgiving week. Much love and respect, Janet a.k.a. "Sunshine"

November 20, 2023 at 09:00 PM

Help me please to see what I must see to do the will of The Son Jesus Amen Amen Amen

November 20, 2023 at 04:42 PM

What is prayer? Talking with God and listening to Him! Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal. https://www.wordgo.org/journal/what-is-prayer-and-why-should-we-pray *** All prayers must be offered in faith in James 1:6, “But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. That’s because a person who doubts is like a wave of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around!” *** All prayers must be in the Name of the Lord Jesus in John 16:23, “When that day comes, you will no longer ask Me for anything. What I’m about to tell you is true. My Father will give you anything you ask for in My Name!” *** All prayers must be in the power of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don’t know what we should pray for. But the Spirit Himself prays for us. He prays through groans too deep for words!” ******* What does it mean to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus.” *** To me it means never stop focusing on God! *** To me it means never stop communicating (thanking, confessing, asking and listening) with God in my daily anything: to-do list, travel, working, etc! *** To me it means never stop getting to know Him!

November 20, 2023 at 02:42 PM

Ken, I often thought that by praying the same prayers they become rote and repetitive. But we are lifting our hearts to the Lord. And as Sr. Melannie says 'Jesus, please see me', We are shouting even yelling for our voices to be heard above the din. Both you and Jane's prayer requests are part of my nightly ritual.

Bill L.
November 20, 2023 at 02:44 PM

typed to fast - 'Jesus, please let me see.'

November 20, 2023 at 10:08 AM

Sr Melanie sometimes I know I am being too orderly with my prayers but I want to include everyone in my family's. Living faith family. I have an organized prayer ritual but I think it might be too rote or orderly . I have three groups 1st my immediate family children and grandchildren then my only sibling and her immediate family, finally my blessed wife's family. (Bear with me), in each group I pair the youngest say thier name, and 1Hail Mary and the oldest say their name, 1 Our father. At the end I try to be quiet and ask "Speak Lord for your servant is listening " That's my story and I am sticking to it. Ken

peggyR
November 20, 2023 at 10:21 AM

You’re doing just great, Ken! Don’t worry, Jesus hears every whisper of your prayers and more. Please stick to your story!

November 20, 2023 at 09:24 AM

Thank you Sr. Melannie. I often wonder if the blind man would have "shushed" as the crowd told him to, would he have been healed? The same as the woman who pushed through a crowd to touch Jesus' cloak, she was also healed. In knowing myself, I personally would not rush upon Jesus in a crowd, I pray that my persistence in prayers will still be heard and answered. I continue my prayers everyday for all of the Living Faith family and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving week.

November 20, 2023 at 08:21 AM

Please Jesus let me see my faith I love you and thank you for all you do for me .

November 20, 2023 at 08:16 AM

When I pray for a specific need, I feel guilty that I’m not praying for everyone with that specific need. The Lord is so powerful and merciful he can answer everyone’s’ needs. So I end my prayers by including that this prayer goes for everyone else. I feel better then.

Kjc
November 20, 2023 at 11:05 AM

Bruce came across this from my reading Wisdom of the saints "We must pray without ceasing, and every occurrence and employment of our lives -that prayer, which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with him, " Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton. Ken

November 20, 2023 at 08:07 AM

Amen. :)

November 20, 2023 at 07:32 AM

Amen. Thank you Sr. Melannie

November 20, 2023 at 07:30 AM

AMEN

Silhouette of man in a wheelchair and stretching hands at sunset. Photo by Aung Myo | stock.adobe.com
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