Wednesday September 6, 2023

Today is Wednesday, September 6 and we are exploring what the Bible says about praising God.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I lift my heart to praise you in the quiet of these morning moments. Speak your truth into my life and circumstances. Enable me to hear the message you have for me today in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

All glory, honor and praise goes to the Lord my God. I praise him with the words of Psalm 34.

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Pause and Pray

In the Gospels, Jesus moved at a slow pace. Jesus moved leisurely enough and was willing to stand still long enough to experience those around him. On his way to Jericho, he was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of busy travelers on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Jesus was teaching as he walked, but he slowed down, stopped and willingly saw the man that everyone else overlooked. The man was blind, poor, and helpless. A social outcast sitting on a filthy mat begging.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:35-43

The blind man shouted out to Jesus and the people in the crowd tried to quiet him. In their rebuke of the blind beggar the crowd revealed their own blindness. They did not see the needy on the side of the road. They did not see the social injustice of a person bearing such a disability. The blind beggar refused to be ignored, but called loudly to the Son of David. The title Son of David is a Messianic term. The blind beggar was one of the first to identify Jesus as the promised Savior of prophecy. The blind man saw what the crowd and the disciples could not comprehend.

Ask: How would I answer the question Jesus asked the blind beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” How have I praised God for what Jesus has done for me?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. I am aware of the deep poverty of my spirit, the blindness of my heart and the emptiness of my soul. I lift my requests before you today in faith, knowing that you see my circumstances and can offer healing for my deepest injuries. I will always praise you for your steadfast love and kindness. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:35-43

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I consider the encounter between Jesus and the blind man, I imagine myself as the one begging on a mat living a life of darkness. Is the state of my soul one that is needy and crying out for the Savior’s healing? Am I aware of my deep need? Perhaps I see myself more as a part of the crowd, hurrying on my way to where I am going and ignoring the needs of those around me. Maybe I am even quieting their voices, preventing them from gaining the help God wants to provide. In what ways have I become blind to the people around me? I will continue to reflect on this healing story throughout my day.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for loving the least and the lost. Walk with me through my day, help me to slow down and notice the needs of others. Open my eyes and let me see what you see. Open my ears and let me hear what you hear. Open my heart so I can love like you love. Open my hands and let me give like you give. Amen.

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Matthew 11:5

I leave this time of prayer and go into the world to see others and love them as Jesus loved.

Amen