End of Year Prayer Service – Homily
End of Year Prayer Service
December 29, 2019
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Using Mark 10’s account of Bartimaeus, the sermon prepares hearts for worship by urging believers to put themselves in God’s path, pray boldly in faith, and remain faithful in expectation of God’s response.
Summary
Drawing on Mark 10 (the story of Bartimaeus), the sermon teaches that Jesus’ question — "What do you want me to do for you?" — models how we should approach prayer: God's people must 'get in the way' (deliberately position ourselves where we can receive from God), be bold (ask with conviction and without doubting God’s power to answer), and be faithful (persist and trust in God’s timing and faithfulness). These three marks—positioning, boldness, and faithfulness—prepare our hearts for worship and shape how we bring requests to the Lord.
Key Points
- Context: Mark 10 — Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who refused to let Jesus pass by.
- Key insight: Jesus asking Bartimaeus what he wanted instructs us to be intentional about what we ask from God.
- Three characteristics for prayer: get in the way (position yourself to receive), be bold (ask in confident faith), be faithful (persist and trust God).
- Practical application: don't be passive — place yourself where you can receive God’s mercy, pray without doubting God’s power, and remain steady in faith.
- Aim: prepare hearts for worship and cultivate confident, faithful prayer.
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