Type 7 of 7 Simple-Praying People...specifically speaking!

How often have we prayed something like, "O Lord, be with cousin Billy now in a special way"? Have we stopped to consider what it is we're requesting? Imagine that you are a parent who is preparing to leave your children with a babysitter. Would you dream of saying, "O Betsy, I ask you now that you would be with my children in a special way?" No way. You would say, "Betsy, the kids need to be in bed by 9 pm. They can have one snack before their baths, and please make sure they finish their homework. You can reach us at this number if there's any problem. Any questions before we go?" We are very specific with our requests and instructions for our babysitters. We want them to know specifics. It should be no different with prayer.
David Jeremiah

There are 7 types of simple-praying people. Yesterday we saw that the sixth type of pray-er is one who realises his ignorance and seeks answers directly from God.  Today we explore the seventh type of Pray-er:

Specific People.

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

General prayers are wasted prayers. When there is a need, are we not specific to address that need? e.g. When I'm sick, I see a Doctor; when I'm tired, I sleep; when I'm hungry, I eat. Specific prayer is focused prayer! When you pray be as specific as you can: "Lord, I want to see!" You will be greatly encouraged by the specific response: "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."  Immediately he received his sight..."

The key for simple-praying people is found in verse 41, when Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"

Type 6 of 7 Simple-Praying People... ignorance?!

We lean to our own understanding, or we bank on service and do away with prayer, and consequently by succeeding in the external we fail in the eternal, because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayer.
Oswald Chambers

There are 7 types of simple-praying people. Yesterday we saw that the fifth type of pray-er is one who has an abundant mentality.  Today we explore the sixth type of Pray-er:

Ignorant People.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again." The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Luke 18:31-34

The disciples didn't understand because it's meaning was hidden from them.  Those who approach God in prayer are more impressed by their ignorance than they are by their knowledge.

The key for simple-praying people is this:

"The disciples did not understand any of this",
but continual ignorance is inexcusable. If we don't understand, ask for understanding:
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"  He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Matthew 13:10,11

Out of our ignorance, we are challenged to seek that which we do no know from God... and He will reveal His mysteries, just as He did for Daniel:

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven  and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:19-22

When our knowledge or understanding fails, ignorance leads us to seeking answers directly from God.

Type 5 of 7 Simple-Praying People...Abundantly!

Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell God your troubles, that God may comfort you; tell God your joys, that God may sober them; tell God your longings, that God may purify them; tell God your dislikes, that God may help you conquer them; talk to God of your temptations, that God may shield you from them: show God the wounds of your heart, that God may heal them. If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. Talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration say just what you think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.
Francois Fenelon

There are 7 types of simple-praying people. Yesterday we saw that the fourth type of pray-er is one who is empty before God.  Today we explore the fifth type of Pray-er:

Abundant People.

Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"   "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life."Luke 18:28-30

"We have left all to follow you!" Nothing is more important to you than to follow Jesus Christ. And the promise is found in verse 29 & 30... the Message Bible says it this way, "'Yes,' said Jesus, 'and you won't regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children--whatever--  will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!' "  "It" will come back, whatever "It" is, multiplied many times over.

The key for simple-praying people is found in verse 30, "all will come back multiplied many times over".

More than you need, more than you can use, more food, more blessings, more time, more things... so that you may give to others.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Luke 6:38