It is sad that many Christians fail to take advantage of the numerous prayer meetings available to them, to get their problems solved. Some come to the Church and are unable to cry to God to solve the challenges that brought them to His presence. Others even doze off at prayer vigils, missing their moments of divine visitation. In Mark 10:46-52, we see the beautiful reward of crying to God in prayer. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho, he cried out. Though he had no eyes to see Jesus, he made use of his mouth to cry to the Lord, even when the people around were discouraging him from doing so (Mark 10:48).

Many years ago, a woman was attacked by the devil. It was such that she was unable to retain in her system anything she ate. When things became unbearable, she ran to God. She came for one of our services and arrived at a point when the Lord was asking the congregation to shout Hallelujah. The woman, in faith, responded to the Lords command through His minister and shouted Hallelujah with everyone else. God honoured her faith as she shouted; a worm popped out of her mouth and that was the end of her problem.

Sometimes, people who cannot help you may try to discourage you from crying to God for help. It is left for you to either allow them to discourage you or refuse to be shut up. As for me, I will not be shut up. Psalms 5:3 says:
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

While Jesus knew Bartimaeus need, He still asked him what he wanted. This is because Jesus would not break the Scripture in Matthew 7:7 which says "Ask, and it shall be given unto you…" Thank God Bartimaeus asked for his ultimate need to be met - his eyesight, and not for some shekels. His cry was meaningful. There are also meaningless cries – cries without substance. They are the type Jesus describes as vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7). A vain repetition is any form of prayer not in alignment with the will and word of God (James 4:3). Beloved, like Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:51, you must cry to God meaningfully! May the Lord hear your cry today, in Jesus name. Make a list of your major needs and spend time crying to God to meet them all in Jesus name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.