What is the Perfect Prayer?

This is a common question among Christians. Instinctively we know that we must pray, but often times we get confused about what to pray? Indeed, when the Lord was asked this, His response was to pray the “Lord’s Prayer,” but sometimes even this prayer doesn’t calm our nerves. I can imagine this must have been the situation for two blind men who approached Christ. I can imagine a life without sight can be very difficult and that they would have needed something more.

So they offered the perfect prayer, “Have mercy on us!” (Matthew 9.27) Why was this prayer so perfect? They knew God. They believed in Jesus Christ as “Son of David,” so they were faithful Jews. They had such a strong need for Him, they went after Him. I imagine they must have rushed to keep up with Him as they cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Christ, knowing their faith, asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Do what exactly?

What happened next, I believe is what makes their prayer so perfect. They simply asked for God’s mercy, nothing more-nothing less, and they received their sight. What was lacking wasn’t faith, but awareness that God knew their struggle. In their particular case, God was able to respond to their need by restoring their sight. He was compassionate in their anxiety, and they were comforted.

Sometimes we need simply to be aware of God’s compassion so that our anxiety may pass. In those times consider the perfect prayer, and seek God’s mercy. Maybe your eyes will be opened to your true needs.