He has been to the future, why pray?

I was assigned to prepare the 2012 Prayer Booklet for Thailand. The feeling of greatness would want to overcome me and say "not everyone is given that chance..." but then I realized that it is a great work. And I think no human, again "no human" is able to perform such a task. I see the task so great and I believe only with God's help will I be able to do such a task. So I get back on God and told Him what's on my mind.

"Lord, You have been in the future and You know very well what will happen tomorrow and in the next week, next month and next year. I am disturbed by the idea of having a prayer booklet since its seemingly useless since You can do whatever You want to do."

He is so gracious to present me with His truth. He brought me to the story of Bartimaeus at Mark 10:46-52:

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

   So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

   ⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

   The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

   ⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

First, Bartimaeus was healed, he received his sight. But isn't it he one who called on Jesus. He shouted all the more even if people around him is telling him to stop. He was not just instructed but commanded by people to stop calling the Master. But He insisted, then he received his healing.

Wow. God is really gracious to all of us. especially to us who doesn't have the patience to do His will that we end up doing things the hard way not because God designed it like that but because we choose to be silent and missed the privilege of receiving His answer through prayer.

How many times have you missed Gods will for you? Perhaps, just like me, you have the nerve to ask God 'whats the need?' If you insist that there is no need to pray, I suggest you read the passage again. And if you are so sure that you dont need answers to prayers well I can tell you of how many experiences that I have failed and its all because I choose not to pray.

Bartimaues prayed. Unceasingly he cried out to Jesus even to point of public humiliation. But he didn't give up. he didn't stopped because he knows Jesus has the miracle for him.

What miracle do you need? He listens and he surely is excited to hear from you and grant you your hearts desire.

Thanks to you!

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who take time to read this blog. I know that somehow you have been aware that my journey is taking sometime to be updated since we have started our exposure trip out of the country.

We have just visited Cambodia with a handful of future workers in the field. We have been blessed by our host who happened to be the head of the orphanage where we stayed. Our experiences both personal and corporate somehow opens our sight to the real work waiting for us.

We visited S21, haunted buildings where it used to be the center of education in Phenom-Pen but later on converted to be the center of torture and eventual death to who ever the authorities desire to laid to rest. I never visited all the rooms, I had enough with the first building where the smell and feeling of being tortured lingers. I could not stand the pictures that were taken and hanged on its walls to show the gruesome death of people who doesn't know of any sin they have committed. Even while writing this blog, my veins were so bursting with red hot blood angered and shouting for justice for those 2 million innocent victims of the out of this world genocide.

I am a Filipino and am very proud of it. But the visit to that place send some burning coal inside of me. I cannot stand the rushing of blood through my veins wanting justice for everyone who suffered death on that event. I cannot recognize whether I am angry or angrier or the worst angriest. I cannot contain the feeling which I believe is incomparable especially with those who lost a loved one in that tragic event. Some of my classmates are encouraging me to go and see some of the pictures that were posted on the two other buildings I haven't visited, I refused, for I don't know how to hold back the tears that would easy flow whenever I see anything associated with the said event.

The second building, which was the last one I entered presented everyone with pictures of those who will undergo torture. I was so shocked to find a large picture where a mom is supposedly holding a baby on her hand. I asked the guide who was presenting before visitors of the information about the place, I asked if what happened with the baby, "also dead" was her plain answer. I want to cry out loud and pour out my heart and I want to rally everyone to make vengeance with those who made this evil among the people. Pain, anger, and a sense of being helpless for I believe I cant insists on what I feel. They shared some more stories which I opted not to tell for it only sends all my energy and angst towards something I hope I have known and done earlier.

I am in this state when someone offered me a dragon fruit. One which on the outside is seemingly so strong but when tasted, reveals its secret of sweetness. Food in Cambodia is cheap. One can spend less than fifty pesos with food and drinks and is surely satisfied. I will present their foods on my next article, soon.