Finally, let’s consider what this passage teaches us about prayer for those of us who have entrusted ourselves to Jesus and received His salvation. Consider these important lessons:
Receiving answers to prayer is a powerful motivator in our spiritual lives. After Jesus answered Bartimaeus’ request, he wanted to follow Jesus (10:52; Lk.18:43 – glorifying God as he followed) – he didn’t have to be recruited or manipulated or cajoled! Has following Jesus become something you view more as “I have to” than “I get to?” If so, one reason is probably that you haven’t experienced answered prayer lately.
New Christians have motivation and joy because they have freshly experienced the answer to their prayer for salvation. They don’t know any better than to ask Jesus for lots of things. And because they ask lots, they receive many (though not all) of their requests – and this fills them with joy.
Many older Christians focus on unanswered requests, and to protect themselves from disappointment by asking less or asking less specifically. They rationalize not asking God for “small” things (EXAMPLE) by thinking that it’s not spiritual to do this. This relative prayerlessness pulls a major plug on their spiritual lives. You can’t have the motivation and joy of answered prayer unless you ask!
Tell Jesus specifically what you want Him to do for you. Jesus must have wanted Bartimaeus to do this because He asked him this question. Likewise, Jesus tells us to simply abide in His Word and to ask for “whatever you wish” (read Jn.15:7). Asking specifically is a key part of healthy relationship (we feel free to ask close friends for specific help). What would you think of a parent who said to his child: “You may make one general request a week?”
Many Christians believe they should just piously say: “Whatever your will is, Lord” or “Bless me, God” (in a general way). But that’s not how Paul prayed. Paul told Jesus three times that he wanted Him to take away his “thorn in the flesh.” As he asked this, Jesus showed him that He had a higher purpose for “thorn” – and this enabled him to become content without its removal. Likewise, when we start by telling Jesus honestly what we want Him to do for us, His Spirit can work with us and help us modify our request if needed (EXAMPLE). Are you spouting pious generalities, or making specific requests? Are you telling Jesus what you want Him to do for you?
Faith is important in prayer. You may have heard healer-dealer preachers use passages like this to teach that we can get whatever we want if we have enough faith. But while we should reject this misconception, we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater and miss the positive lesson it teaches. Jesus explicitly says “Your faith has made you well.” He doesn’t mean that Bartimaeus’ faith healed his blindness. Jesus healed him. Faith is not a magical power within us; it is trusting in the right Person outside of us. Faith in Jesus is choosing to trust in His love and power enough to take our needs to Him. Believing prayer is simply bringing your need to Jesus, and trusting Him to answer in the way and timing that is best (MARY IN JOHN2).
Asking Jesus to restore your “sight” is a biblical request. Bartimaeus said: “I want to regain my sight.” He was evidently not born blind – he had been able to see, and he missed his sight. As Christians, our conversion gave us spiritual sight. We became able to perceive spiritual reality – Jesus’ love for us, the Bible as God’s personally relevant Word, other people as valuable to God, spiritual warfare, etc. But it is easy to lose that sight through neglecting our relationship with Jesus, sin, affluence (Rev.3:17), etc. We cannot restore our own spiritual sight, but Jesus is willing and able to restore it if we ask Him to do so. This should be one of our prayer request priorities. That’s probably why so many passages record prayer for spiritual sight.
Paul models asking God to restore your vision of His grace (read and explain Eph.1:17-19). How we need fresh revelation of the bright future we have (in the next life and in this life)! How we need fresh revelation of how precious we are to God! How we need fresh revelation of the amazing power of the Holy Spirit that is accessible to us! No wonder Paul prayed for this for the Ephesians, many of whom were older, grounded Christians.
The Psalmist asks God to open his eyes that he might behold wonderful things in His Word (Ps.119:18). Bible study methods, commentaries and concordances, etc. all have their place in Bible study. Having regular times for private Bible reading and Bible study meetings are also important. But the most important thing as we’re about to expose ourselves to God’s Word is to ask Him what this Psalmist asks! This is by far the most important aspect of my own preparations for teachings like this teaching – and what makes the preparations so illuminating and nourishing to my soul (1Tim.4:6).
Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant so that he might see the angels who protected them – and God answered His prayer (2 Kings6:17). What a difference it makes to have a fresh glimpse of God’s sovereign care and protection when we feel afraid and intimated by difficulties and spiritual enemies!
The Psalmist asks God to enable him to see the hurtful way within him that God sees (Ps.139:23,24). When I realize that something is wrong inside my soul, how important it is to ask for this! I cannot figure myself out – I just get more confused and deceived. I should ask others for input, but this is the most important help, and it is available to me at all times.
Jesus saw lost people through eyes of compassion (Matt.9:36), and we can ask Him to give us this same vision. I am often annoyed and frustrated and disgusted by people. I can put on a fakey face and endure them until they go away – but I cannot change my heart into a heart of compassion. Compassion comes from the Lord, and it comes by Him enabling me to see people the way He sees them.
How often do you ask for this kind of sight? It may be that you don’t have because you don’t ask!