When Praise is the focus.

Matthew 20:30-32
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

As the two blind men sat on the side of the road, they could hear the commotion of the croud heading their direction. Knowing that Jesus had been in Jericho, and knowing that he was passing this way, probably gave them all the indication that they needed to figure out what the noise was all about. As the crowd came closer, with maybe some of the children in the lead dancing and shouting his name, soon their celebration of this miracle worker being amongst them was interrupted by the undefined and crude shouts of the two blind men. Maybe some of the crowd that had just witnessed a miracle or heard the teaching quickly ran ahead to quiet these two misfits. But the blind men became more unified by their need, and more belligerent with their focus. As Jesus came closer, the disciples could make out the cry of the two men. "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on us." Whether it was their cry for mercy, or the recognition of who he was that got his attention is unknown, but maybe it was both. By crying out that Jesus was the son of David, these blind men announced to all the world that Jesus was their Messiah, and Lord. This is enough to get God's attention.

No doubt many needs had already been met, and no doubt their were many others that gathered around just to receive from Jesus a miracle, but when someone begin to cry out ferverntly that they needed mercy from their messiah, Jesus stopped, and called out to them.

His question to them seems rather odd. He asks them, "What would you have me do?" It is obvious to everyone that they are blind. Their need seems quite apparent, yet Jesus still asks, what is it that you need of me? They could have asked anything at that moment, and I believe that they would have reveived their needs met. What power they possessed in their moment of need, to have the attention of their Messiah. All because, they proclaimed their need for him, and because they proclaimed who he was.

In his presence there are answers to all of our problems and cares. How do we receive access to the power of his recognition or attention? By recognizing that he is near, and proclaiming our need for his mercy, and, more importantly, by declaring who he is. He is Lord. He is God. This catches the attention of God.

Don't dwell on your need, but rather focus on who he is. When Praise is the focus, expect God to stop and extend mercy.