Vatican City: Pope Francis has warned that prayers should be in faith and that lifeless prayers are useless. He reminded us that we must have the courage and faith to ask God, who can give us everything, and that we should follow the example of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who was healed by Jesus. As Angelus delivered his message the other day sharing the Gospel of Jesus’ vision of Bartimaeus, the pope called for an introspection into our prayers.
When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out with a loud voice, “Son of David, have mercy on me, Jesus!” The restless disciples and the crowd asked him to be quiet, but he cried out even louder. Jesus hears it. Bartimaeus’ voice did not disturb him at all. He realizes that it is full of faith. A faith that is not afraid to beat in the heart of God, to force despite misunderstandings and insults. Here is the root of the miracle.
Bartimaeus’ faith is illuminated by his prayer. He does not stay away from you. Therefore, he submits his whole tragedy as a heartfelt cry before the friend of God. He does not ask for a penny, as he does for passers-by. Rather, he asks of all who can do all things, by praying, ‘Have mercy on me.’ Bartimaeus does not use much words. Says only the core. His blindness was only the tip of the iceberg, but in his heart were wounds and insults, broken dreams, mistakes and remorse. He submitted it all.
Let us ask ourselves how our prayers are. Do we have the compulsion of Bartimaeus? When we ask God for a blessing, does prayer include our own history, wounds, insults, broken dreams, mistakes, and guilt? Or are you satisfied with a formal greeting? The pope reminded that prayer is touching if the faith is alive, adding that we must ask for everything with a compulsive mind to Jesus, who can do all things.
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