What do you think and how do you feel when our Father does not answer our prayers? despondent? frustrated? even angry? I can think of many times that I have prayed, only to see my requests completely unanswered and as a result given up. Reading the story of blind Bartimaeus in Marks Gospel, I realized the parallel this story has to prayer. The story begins with Jesus leaving the city of Jericho accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd, and continues, "a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). It is clear by his reaction that Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus and the miracles he performed, so began to call out to him. Likewise we recognize Jesus as our God and loving saviour so we call out to him in prayer. But see the reaction Bartimaeus received for his efforts "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet" (Mark 10:48). Don't we feel like this sometimes when we pray? We think God's not answering, so we conclude we should be quiet and stop praying about it; almost rebuking ourselves for asking. However I believe God's desire for our response to these feelings is illustrated in the reaction of Bartimaeus, "but he shouted all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!" and see the result "Jesus stopped and said, "Call him"", (Mark 10:49) ... ""What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you".(Mark 10:51-52). So the faith of Bartimaeus was demonstrated by his persistence to get Jesus attention despite the opposition he faced from the rebuking crowd/ disciples. When we pray we should be persistent, because persistence demonstrates faith, and our heavenly father rewards such faith.
