When Friends Bring Us to Jesus in Prayer

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands onhim, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. - Mark 8:22-25

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In the traditional contemplative practice called lectio divina, we listen to a short passage of Scripture not once, but three times, allowing the Spirit to bring different details, questions and insights to our minds with each hearing.

At the beginning of the week, for instance, we reflected on spit and the wonderful weirdness of Scripture.

Today, we notice that the blind man in our story did not, could not, come to Jesus on his own. He needed the help of his friends.

Is prayer perhaps sometimes like that for us? We need Jesus, but for whatever reason we do not feel able to approach him on our own. And perhaps those are some of the moments when we need our friends to pray with and for us, to help us connect with the fullness of God and find the comfort, strength and healing we need.

Today, is there anyone you know could use the reassurance - a phone call or text - that you are praying with and for them? Or do you want to ask a friend to help you reach out to Jesus? (The prayer team is always available.)

Lord, hear our prayers.