Prayer works when we work our faith in prayer. Faith helps us to pray, and prayer gives us faith to anticipate the impossible. The Bible says that faith without works is ineffective, useless or dead and that we must live by faith and not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith in confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Faith pleases God, and in response, He gives us vision to see what only he can do! Two words describe faith: confidence and assurance. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. Faith starts with believing in God's goodness and truth - that he is who he says he is. Faith culminates with knowing that God will do what he promises. When we believe that he will fulfill his promises even though we don't see them materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
James 2:17 " In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Matthew 21:22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mark 11:24-25 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins."
True faith changes the heart. Real faith seeks peace. Scripture doesn't teach us as believers to solely rely on prayer: it instructs us to rely on Him. Only when we can rely fully on God can we pray fully believing. We are to believe Him first, and then express that belief in prayer. Faith must be resident in our hearts before the prayer comes out of our mouths even if the faith is so small all we can muster is a whisper to God reaching out for help. Praying with faith is simply communicating with God, believing He hears you and expecting him to answer you.
REFLECTION:
What people, places or things have become faith blockers keeping you from hearing God's voice daily?
How has your faith been tested? What does the Bible say about faith in these areas of testing?
PRAYER:
Father, I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to equip me to endure the seasons of testing of my faith. Reveal to me specific areas of distraction to overcome so that I can live victoriously. Teach me how to please You by faith and how to draw closer to You. In Jesus' name Amen.
ACTION:
Write down one primary fear in your life. Today in prayer ask God for the grace and boldness to step out in faith to conquer that fear
Write down a simple action plan of faith to fulfill some practical faith goals God has given to you.
10 prayer secrets by Hakeem Collins
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