Just ask

Chapter 20 of Matthew's gospel includes a story of two blind men begging Jesus to restore their sight. In verses 32-34 (KJV),

Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Note that the two men didn't have to perform some task, or recite eloquent prayers, or even prove their righteousness. There merely had to ask Jesus!

Turning to Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV), we find a similar theme,

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Again, nothing complicated is required of us. Just "Call unto me."

In our prayers today, let us dispense with complicated words and attempts to prove our worthiness. Rather, let us earnestly ask God for spiritual sight!

Healed by faith

In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus encounters a woman long plagued by a blood-related illness. Fighting through a crowd to get to Jesus, she touches his garment, knowing that simple physical contact will heal her. After being touched, Jesus says to her (Matthew 9:22 KJV)

Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.

Later in the same chapter, two blind men come to Jesus asking to be healed. Jesus asks (9:28 KJV)

Believe ye that I am able to do this?

When the men respond that, yes, they do believe, Jesus responds (9:29 KJV)

According to your faith be it unto you.

Note the common thread: Faith is the key to health. And though both stories appear to deal with physical health, there is an obvious undercurrent of attendant spiritual health. This is especially true in the second story, where being able to "see" doubtlessly implies spiritual understanding of God's will.

Growing in this "faith" is difficult, but a central part of our spiritual journey. Thankfully, we are not alone in that journey. Recalling the words of James 1:5 (KJV), when we lack spiritual vision,

...let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

This is the day the LORD has made

Psalm 118:24 contains a famous verse, one which has inspired a famous hymn. It reads (KJV),

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

When we're struggling to pray, when we fail to find the right words of praise, and when our thoughts seem to drift during our prayerful meditations, it might be useful to consider this verse.

The reason this day exists, and the reason we're even alive to breathe the air around us, is because God willed it to be so. That, alone, is reason enough to offer praise and proceed through the day with spiritual gladness.