Purpose Study Bible 353: What Do You Want?

When Nehemiah went in to serve the king, he had a plan in mind for how he could rebuild Jerusalem. God opened the door for a conversation during which the king asked,

The king said to me, “What is it you want?” (Nehemiah 2:4).

At that point, Nehemiah had to be clear and specific. He couldn't say, "Well, I've been praying about it, and if it isn't too much trouble, perhaps someday I could have some time off to go rebuild my homeland." Preparation had enabled him to answer immediately because he had already settled the matter in his heart before the opportunity came.

Jesus asked a blind man the same question, and the blind man, like Nehemiah, had an answer ready:

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see” (Mark 10:51).

Now Jesus asks you the same question as you seek to fulfill your creative purpose: "What do you want?" What is your answer? Is it clear, or are you afraid to ask for too much, so you ask for little to nothing? Have you thought through what you need well enough to recognize the opportunity when it comes?

The goal of prayer isn't simply to pray. The goal is to receive specific answers to specific prayers, for Jesus promised to give you what you need to fulfill His will. So be like Nehemiah and Bartimaeus. Ask boldly, pray specifically, and expect God to provide exactly what you need to accomplish the creative purpose He has given you.