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What do you want?
Good evening Heavenly Father. Thank you for chocolate. And for the many ways that I enjoy it! Chocolate cream pie. Chocolate covered nuts. Hot chocolate (with marshmallows). Chocolate ice cream. Chocolate chip cookies. Thank you for chocolate. Thank you for thinking of us as you created this universe … thinking about things we might enjoy! And thank you for the scriptures for this prayer … this prayer that is asking your daughter you love dearly, your Lindsey, “What do you want?”
Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” 31 The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20_30-37 NET)
And again, in a very odd sequence of events (right after Jesus tells them how he soon will be killed, they seem oblivious to this, and just want to ask for something for themselves … and, boy, this really is something!):
32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him. 33 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days, he will rise again.”
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They said to him, “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?” 39 They said to him, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience, 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.” (Mark 10:32-40 NET)
And another blind man called to Jesus, who asked him that same question:
46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many scolded him to get 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 the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.” 50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the road. (Mark 10:46-55 NET)
And the Old Testament also includes several instances of someone being asked, “What do you want?” And seeing this, I come before you Lord. I come to sit with you, to speak to you, to listen to you, to enjoy your presence here with me. And, Lindsey, it seems that I am to pray this same question over you now. Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you Lindsey?” Take time to sit with him today. As the first scripture says, He is moved by compassion regarding your request and he observes your faith (as noted in the final scripture). Jesus loves sitting with you Lindsey and today it seems he is inviting you to come and sit for awhile and let him know what you want him to do for you. As you are reading this let’s give him our praise and give him the glory. I pray and ask this in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen.
King James Version for your reference:
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. (Matthew 20:30-37 KJV)
and…
32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. (Mark 10:32-40 KJV)
and…
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Mark 10:46-55 KJV)
Gain the Whole World but Lose Your Soul? Choose Wisely!
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for the air we breathe. Thank you for how refreshing a breath of fresh air can be. And thank you for the scripture to use for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
[Jesus speaking] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34-38)
Lord, I’m here. I’m here again as usual. I’m here on behalf of Lindsey, your daughter you love. Lindsey, this scripture is interesting how Jesus clearly lets us know that if we try to get ahead in this world while ignoring him, that he in turn will be ashamed of us when he comes again. So I pray that as you become more and more popular in the eyes of the world, that you will continue to give the credit and the glory to God. I pray that any time you face a choice of advancing in this world by ignoring Jesus that you will always make a good choice. I pray for extra wisdom for you Lindsey. I pray that you will always have good people around you to advise you when the world gets so very tempting. I pray that you would never be ashamed to tell people that you follow Jesus and center you life around him. And together we can give the glory to God. Glory! I pray this in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
You are not far from the kingdom of God!
Good morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for inquisitive minds. Thank you for inventive minds. Thank you for reasoning minds. And thank you for the scripture for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. (Mark 12:29-34)
Lord, I’m here again to sit with you. And right now I wish to lift up Lindsey, your daughter who loves you with all her heart, soul and strength. And so I ask that you show her that she is not far from the kingdom of God today. Show her how close she is to your Kingdom Lord. Give her a word or a vision. Let this knowledge help her to walk closer to you each day. And we will give you the glory. The glory is all yours. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
Who Will You Eat With?
Good morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for walking. Thank you for my knees that work so well. Thank you for my feet that know where they are going. Yes, thank you for how my body can just work together so well to accomplish a walk in the city with you! And thank you for the scripture for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? (Mark 2:15-16)
Lord, it’s me again. I’m back again as usual to begin a new day’s prayer for Lindsey, your daughter you love. Lindsey, today it seems that this may be an unusual prayer, for I am praying that you continue to be careful who you eat and drink with. And I really need to include myself in this prayer as well. We need to be careful to often find ways to sit with the lost. We need to fine time for them and not just for our friends. So, I pray that God would grant us favor in this. I ask that he would open doors of opportunity to eat and drink with publicans, tax collectors and sinners. I ask that he enlarge our hearts for them. I also ask that he guard our hearts so that we can be the light to the world and not be led astray ourselves. I pray that God would guard our minds if people start wondering about who we are sitting with. I ask that he give us the words whenever we need them. And together we will give him the glory. The glory all goes to him. Glory. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
Hard Hearted?
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for the sun in the day and the moon and stars in the night. Thank you for stars that twinkle and sunsets that sparkle. And thank you for the scripture for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:38-44,52)
Lord, I’m ready to begin a new day’s prayer for your daughter who you love. Lindsey, being hard hearted is not a good thing. But it seems like our hearts may just tend to be that way. In this scripture we read about an all out amazing miracle… feeding 5,000 men with just 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread! But look what it says about the disciples – the guys who were travelling with Jesus day after day. They were trying to follow Jesus as best as they could. Yet, here we are told that their hearts were hard … they were hard hearted! If even Jesus’s closest disciples ended up hard hearted after witnessing such an amazing miracle, what can we do? How can we avoid a hard heart?
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)
It seems like one way to avoid having hard hearts is to take heed … to take care! Watch out that our hearts do not become unbelieving so we fall away from the living God! I pray that you heed this warning Lindsey, for it seems to be talking about people who really are trying to follow Jesus … just that they let their guard down and a bit of disbelief slips in … and they fall away without even noticing it! To avoid this we need to encourage each other each day, so I pray that the Lord would continually surround you with people who will not only encourage you, but who will notice and let you know any time you are starting to stray from the living God. I pray that you would not be deceived by what seems like good ideas in the world around you. And since by definition, if you are deceived you cannot notice it yourself, I pray that there would always be godly people to cross your path that will not shy away from telling you!
But what if you find yourself with a hard heart? How can we remove a hard heart? God can do it!
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:17-20)
Lindsey, I pray that any time you find your heart hardening that you will call out to God to remove the stony heart and replace it with a heart of flesh. I ask that God would give you an undivided heart so that he would remain your focus every day. I pray that God would give you that new spirit and that you will walk with him and be a do-er! Do what God is asking. Lord, this can be very hard, so I pray that you would be Lindsey’s strength. Grant her the wisdom to see what she needs to see. Grant her the courage to walk where she needs to walk, for she is your daughter and you are her God. And we give you the glory. All the glory is yours. Glory! I pray this in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
Get Alone! Jesus Often Did!
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for being our provider. My family has everything that we need. Thank you for being so generous and help me to be generous today as well. And thank you for the scriptures for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
Once Jesus was famous, he had to withdraw away from the multitudes:
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (Luke 5:15-16)
Other times Jesus had to send the crowds away so that he could be by himself to pray:
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:22-23)
And then there were times Jesus would get up early to be alone to pray and left to travel to another town even though crowds had gathered to see him:
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. (Mark 1:35-38)
Lord, it’s me. I’m here as usual to pray for your daughter who loves you. You have gifted her with great talent and skills. And she uses those talents well. So much that she has become famous. And so these scriptures apply especially to you Lindsey! As Jesus became famous we are told that he had to make a point withdraw to secluded places to pray. He needed time alone. And so that is my prayer for you Lindsey. I pray that you recognize the need to get a way and be with alone with your God. At times you may need to dismiss the crowds. At other times you may need to sneak away someplace on your own (though you may want to tell someone where you are going:) Lord, I ask that any time that Lindsey goes off alone to be with you that you would let her know that you are there with her. I ask that you hear her prayers and desires of her heart. I ask that you answer her in a way that she can hear you clearly and know it is you. And we will give the glory to you Lord. The glory is all yours. Glory. I pray this in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
God’s Banner Over You is Love
Good morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for taking care of my family. Thank you for reminding me each year that I have one foot in heaven!* And thank you for the scripture for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)
Lord, I am here on behalf of Lindsey again. I ask that you find ways today to illustrate to her how you have placed your banner of love over her. I ask that you show this to her in a way that means something to her. I ask that you reveal more about your banner of love to her this day. And we will give the glory to you. The glory is all yours. Glory! I ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen
* For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
* So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
[If my life is hid with Christ and he is in heaven, then it seems natural to consider that I have one foot in heaven already]
Each week take a day to rest and honor God as you delight yourself in the Lord
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for the food I eat. Thank you for what I have to drink. Thank you for sustaining me with your word and with provisions – both! And thank you for the scripture to use for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:13-14)
Lord, I’m here again. I’m here on behalf of Lindsey, your daughter you love. Lord, today I pray a big prayer for her. She is in the spotlight. Wherever she goes her fans adore her and elevate her. In the midst of this unending praise of her ability and talent she may often feel that she can do whatever she pleases. Lindsey, today’s scripture reminds you to refrain from selfish pursuits. Isaiah was asking the people to remember the sabbath the way that God told them to! Centuries later, Jesus took this even further when he told us that the sabbath was made for us!
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (Mark 2:27)
And so, Lindsey, I pray that you always will be able to take a day of rest. That rest was designed for you. Rest in the Lord. And may this time of rest invigorate you and restore your energy. May you find JOY in your relationship with the Lord and may he grant you great prosperity. May you delight yourself in the Lord and honor him above all things. And together we can glory God. Let us give the glory to him. I pray this all in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
Joyful in Prayer! Rejoice while Praying!
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for my breath. Thank you for my life. Thank you for watching over me while I sleep since you never sleep nor slumber. And thank you for the scriptures for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Mark 11:17)
It is written in the book of Isaiah:
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (Isaiah 56:7)
Lord, it’s me. I’m happy to sit with you. Praying is a joy… I rejoice as I pray for your daughter you love, just as you rejoice as you watch over her. Lindsey, today I pray for your prayers. I pray that your times of prayer are joyful. I pray that you rejoice to be talking with God while you pray. I pray that you look forward to your times of prayer and that God would often let you feel his presence around you as you pray. And together we give the glory to him. All the glory is to God. I pray this joyfully in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
Know the commandments (and DO them :)
Good Morning Heavenly Father. Thank you for eye-hand coordination. Even more … thank you for the amazing ability to type quickly without even seeing my hands or the keyboard. Thank you for the many wonders that are part of my life constantly that I often take for granted without thought. And thank you for the scriptures for today’s prayer for your daughter Lindsey:
19 [Jesus said] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (Mark 10:19)
Those commandments are written in Exodus:
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Exodus 20:12-16)
Lord, I’m here again. I’m ready for another day lifting up Lindsey to you. I’m ready to begin another daily prayer for your daughter who loves you. Lindsey, today I pray that you would remember the commandments. They must be important since Jesus referred to them as such, quoting what was written in scriptures, in Exodus! I pray that remembering them would only be the start for you. Actually obeying them is what Jesus wants. And so I pray that more than just knowing them, that you would do them. I pray that doing them would just be natural for you, that following these commandments would be a no-brainer for you. And we, in turn, will give the glory to God. All the glory is his. I pray this in the name and authority of Christ Jesus, King of kings. Amen (more…)
A daughter of God 