What is it You Really Want God to Do?
By Rev. Jarrett B. Washington, Columnist
Matthew 20:32 says, “Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’” I contend that most people do not get what they want because they don’t know what it is that they want.
For me, this has been a troubling aspect of who I am in God. Quite honestly, I have struggled with the question of “Am I asking God for too much?” Rather, “Does God have time to deal with my requests?” Lately, “God, if I ask for this, what does that mean later?” These questions are all valid, but even more powerful, is the fact God has an answer for them all. If we are to be the kind of believers God desires us to be then we must stand on the Word of God that reminds us there is absolutely nothing too hard for God.
In Matthew 20:29, the reader of the text is exposed to the story of the two blind men sitting on the side of the road. In this biblical narrative, Jesus was leaving Jericho with a great crowd following him. As he was passing, two blind men cry out to him to have mercy on them. Everyone in the crowd begins to yell at the men, telling them they should be quiet. Jesus stops his journey, looks in the direction of the two men, and says, “What do you want me to do for you?”
I can imagine that most people in the crowd already knew what the two men needed because their issue was apparent. Yet, Jesus—who already knows about their struggles—still makes the inquiry. The powerfulness of that statement is that even when God knows what you are going through, God still wants you to ask for God’s help.
The text testifies that after the two men made their request for sight, Jesus is led to compassion and gives them the ability to see. Today, I challenge you to get specific in your prayer request. Do something different in your prayers today. Ask God to do something specific. Don’t sugarcoat your desires with flowery words or glittering prose. Just ask for it! If you need a new car, ask Him for the color, model, make, and year. If you need a new home, give God the address, street, and school district. If you need to be healed, give Him the ability to touch the very part of your body in physical distress. Whatever you do, don’t be vague. It’s when you get real with God about your situation that God can pour out the compassion you need for the breakthrough you so desire.
The Rev. Jarrett Britton Washington is the pastor of Hopewell AME Church in Hemingway, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Turner Theological Seminary at the ITC in Atlanta, Georgia, with both the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education degrees. Currently, he serves as the co-editor of The Voice of Mission Magazineand layout artist for the Missionary Magazine. He is married to Deronda C. Washington and is the father of one daughter, Braylen Jael.
