I do not pray that God takes away the pain and sorrow when these afflictions happen in my life. Instead, I pray for courage and strength to face them. I pray for sight, like the blind men crying out to Jesus “Son of David, have pity on us!”, that I may see God’s presence even when I am in pain.
I do not pray for more material blessings or more financial resources. Although there are times I feel kind of insecure about running out of these resources or losing it all. Instead, I pray that I be always ready and generous to open my hands to help and serve others. Beside, given all the blessings I enjoy, I feel that it is an affront to God that I should ask God for anything more for myself.
I used to pray for myself a lot in the past. In fact, it seemed most of my prayers then were about me. Today, I pray more for others, their needs and their sufferings.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
~Psalm 27
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
Matthew 9:27-31
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.