Prayer is not complicated.  The word simply means a 'cry'.  This blind man cried out to the Lord, the Son of David, to have mercy on him (Luke 18:35-39).  The beggar was not a theologian or known to be religiously pious, but his need was so great and he believed that if he called out to Jesus, He would have compassion (Matthew 20:34).  The blind man’s heart told him that he could and must cry out to Jesus - even though he was not holy, and Jesus was.  That is why his shouting could be heard above the crowd as he asked for mercy.

So when Jesus called the blind man to Him, he knew that Jesus was already responding to his cry. When Jesus asked what he wanted, He got a straightforward reply.  The desperate man was quite clear - he wanted to be able to see.  There was no discussion of his sin, social isolation or religious ignorance.  Jesus had heard enough - the man's desperation for Jesus, his heartfelt cry for mercy and a request which only Jesus could grant.  

He may have been a blind beggar, but he believed in Jesus - so it was safe to cry out to Him.  Jesus was the Messiah who would be merciful to sinners, so it was essential to confess sin and be put right with God.  He was the King who could do anything - and so it was wise to ask Him to do what nobody else could (Jonah 2:2).

Faith in Jesus is still about that wholehearted commitment to seek Him, ask for mercy, be honest with Him and expect His sovereign response.  Hebrews 4:16 puts it like this, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." True faith will dare to cry out to the Lord, trusting Him alone and willing to receive whatever response He knows is best - in the same way that a child will cry out to a parent.  Alas, all parents are faulty in one way or another and therefore will disappoint their children sometimes, allowing some to build uncertainty about future parental responses.  But Father God is perfect in every way; He never disappoints and is totally consistent in His character.  So, whatever our experiences of other people may be, let us determine that we can and must cry out to the Lord in faith.  We will be amazed at His wise and compassionate response.  And don't forget to tell others to come boldly to Jesus and do the same!