When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” v47

Bartimaeus was both desperate and impolite - see would not stop until he got Jesus' attention.  He even got rebuked by those around him (v48). DesiringGod.com encourages us to be both desperate and impolite in prayer.  We are encouraged to "cry out louder, to cry night and day, to nag him incessantly in faith until he answers us. He loves that kind of faith".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life...and blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace and mercy and for the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Matthew 15

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” v27

A Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, yet Jesus ignores her plea initially and the disciples urge Him to move on.  Her pleas continue to the point of getting on her knees and debating with Jesus (see also Matthew Henry Commentary), and He agrees to heal her daughter - seeing the faith she has and the desire she has for Him and His healing powers.

God wants us to be desperate for Him, and for us to have a contrite heart - see also verses here.  We should acknowledge that we all sin and are in need of a Savior. 

David had a contrite heart:

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.  Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:3-5

Bottom line: Jesus wants us exactly where we are - desperate, humble, angry, etc.  We can debate with Him, etc.  We must however acknowledge who God is and remain in reverent fear of Him..

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Lord of All, King of Kings, and You reign over the heavens and the earth - and You are my God.  You adopted me and died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I am selfish, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. v19

God wants us a relationship with us - a genuine relationship where we share exactly where we are...the highs, the lows, the joys, and the struggles.  This is what a relationship is - it is a commitment.  The Psalms are exactly that - the highs and lows of the authors - from David, Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and others.  This Psalm by Asaph acknowledges sin, yet it also reveals a love of the Lord that is recognized as someone all powerful, and full of love and compassion for His children. God has and continues to rescue us from our sins and our difficulties - but we must also recognize that God has us exactly where He wants for a reason (Romans 8:28).  This said, we must be thankful for where we are and see the goodness of God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God - all powerful, all knowing and present in all things at all times...and You love me...as broken as I am. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am easily distracted by the matters of this world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.