An evangelist was ministering at a crusade, and people with various sicknesses were getting healed. A blind man was there, supposedly for healing. The evangelist prayed for him, and he received his sight. But instead of gratitude, the man attacked the evangelist, shouting, “Who told you to heal me?” It turned out he came for money, not healing. Everyone was shocked.
Friend, allow God in your life (Isaiah 40:1-5). God often needs permission to intervene in your life. Many people don’t allow God in their lives. Like the blind man in our opening story, many people want something else from God, not what He wants to give them.
You might want money, but God wants to give you an idea that would make you command money (Job 22:21-25, 32:8). One idea from God can change your life forever. The truly poor man is one without a divine idea (Proverbs 22:2, 29:13). What you say to God is prayer. What He says back to you is wisdom (Jeremiah 33:3, John 2:5).
Blind Bartimaeous was one of the wisest people in the Bible. He didn’t ask Jesus for money. He asked for sight (Mark 10:46-52). Blind Bartimaeus understood that lack of sight (vision) is what had reduced him to a beggar. If he could see, he would stop begging. Jesus healed him.
Sometimes, we assume that since God knows what we are going through, He would just show up and meet our needs. God needs your permission to bless you (Mark 10:51). Prayer is an avenue to grant God permission in your life. God does nothing except in response to prayer (Matthew 6:10, Philippians 4:6-7).
The early church learnt the hard way. James had been killed by Herod. It was when Peter was taken that they rose to pray (Acts 12:1-5). They didn’t know that prayer was needed to mobilise angels (Psalms 103:20, Acts 12:6-8, Hebrews 1:14). Prayer was needed to give God permission to come through (James 5:15). Will you allow God in your life today?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria