Now that we have established that we pray because we need something that only God can do for us and God won’t do it unless we ask
Him to, also that we should continue asking for it, let’s move on to other aspects of prayer. One of the foundational aspect regarding
prayer is to believe. God’s word says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.
For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that
God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and
diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrew 11: 6 Amplified Bible
So with this one verse we can easily see that we MUST believe that God exists and He will reward us if we earnestly pray to Him.
If you’re not convinced of this, don’t be surprised if your prayer is not answered. As the verse above says,
“Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God”.
You see why in James 1:6 & 7 where it says:
“Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting).
For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea
that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person
imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,”
I love the story of the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Look at what Jesus tells him in Matthew 8: 13:
“Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go;
it shall be done for you as you have BELIEVED.
And the servant boy was restored to health at that very hour”.
So you see, if you want something from the Lord, you must believe that He exists and that He will answer you.
But what if you’re someone who does not have that kind of faith? You pray and HOPE it works. Well, in Mark 9 we see a father that asked
Jesus to touch his son and Jesus answers this father in verse 23 where it says:
“And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything?
[Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!”
That ‘s when the father cries out in verse 24:
“At once the father of the boy gave a cry with tears, and he said
“Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my unbelief!”
Here we see that Jesus understands our hearts and minds and is willing to help us strengthen our belief in Him. So if you need help in
your faith, read God’s Word. The Bible is full of stories that help build our faith and help us to get to know Him better. Remember, prayer
is two way communication. We speak to God and God answers us. Many times He speaks to us in His Word (the Bible), and sometimes
He speaks to us in a still small voice deep within us.
The next time you pray, make sure you believe that
He exists and after you’re through talking, stop and listen.
You may be surprised at how often He answers you!
Him to, also that we should continue asking for it, let’s move on to other aspects of prayer. One of the foundational aspect regarding
prayer is to believe. God’s word says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him.
For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that
God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and
diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrew 11: 6 Amplified Bible
So with this one verse we can easily see that we MUST believe that God exists and He will reward us if we earnestly pray to Him.
If you’re not convinced of this, don’t be surprised if your prayer is not answered. As the verse above says,
“Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God”.
You see why in James 1:6 & 7 where it says:
“Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting).
For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea
that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person
imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,”
I love the story of the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Look at what Jesus tells him in Matthew 8: 13:
“Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go;
it shall be done for you as you have BELIEVED.
And the servant boy was restored to health at that very hour”.
So you see, if you want something from the Lord, you must believe that He exists and that He will answer you.
But what if you’re someone who does not have that kind of faith? You pray and HOPE it works. Well, in Mark 9 we see a father that asked
Jesus to touch his son and Jesus answers this father in verse 23 where it says:
“And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything?
[Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!”
That ‘s when the father cries out in verse 24:
“At once the father of the boy gave a cry with tears, and he said
“Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my unbelief!”
Here we see that Jesus understands our hearts and minds and is willing to help us strengthen our belief in Him. So if you need help in
your faith, read God’s Word. The Bible is full of stories that help build our faith and help us to get to know Him better. Remember, prayer
is two way communication. We speak to God and God answers us. Many times He speaks to us in His Word (the Bible), and sometimes
He speaks to us in a still small voice deep within us.
The next time you pray, make sure you believe that
He exists and after you’re through talking, stop and listen.
You may be surprised at how often He answers you!
| Believing (Part 3) by Julie Hood |
@2007. Family Life Church. All Rights Reserved.
| Why Pray? Reasons (part 1) Persistence (part 2) Praise & Worship (part 4) Praying The Word (part 5) Sowing & Reaping (part 6) Listening (part 7) When God Says No (part 8) Hindered Prayers (part 9) |
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