The Prayer of Faith

The Prayer of Faith

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22

Have you ever notice when most people pray, they look for an immediate answer. But the first should seek after is, “Lord help me accept your will.” The second most important thing is, “Lord help me understand the important element in prevailing prayer.” It is said by them of old, that the prayer of faith is the only kind of prayer that is ever answered by God. The prayer of faith either conducted audible or in and inaudible expression of the desires of the heart, backed by faith gives result.

It is this faith that sends our prayers heavenward and the answer to our prayers earthward. But in order for us to receive an answer to our prayers, we need to repair or correct those things in our lives that hinder fellowship with God. Please review the following important passages: Compare Isaiah 59:1; Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9; Matthew 5:23-24; 1 Peter 3:7; with 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:1; 51:1; and Proverbs 28:13.

This faith gives our prayers wings so that they reach God. Sometimes the devil would make you believe that faith stops you from receiving heavens blessings. If you let him, he would make you believe that God has put brass over your heads and that your prayers cannot penetrate to the throne of God. Brothers and Sisters, Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that imaginary brass barrier is doubt.

But this great obstacle to answered prayer is pierced through by living faith. Faith is the bow that sends the arrows of our petitions to the throne of the Eternal. A painted fire is no fire; a dead man is no man; and a faithless prayer is no prayer, because it has no life or power. Faithless prayers are like arrows without heads, swords without edges, and birds without wings. They cannot pierce, cut, or fly.

 At this point, let me make four suggestions that can help improve your faith.

(1) Be sure your prayer is grounded in the Word of God. This gives confidence.

(2) Be sure your prayer is not from a carnal or wrong motive, but directed by biblical principles. Learn how to rest in the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit and always pray according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

(3) Keep on asking, looking, and knocking in faith, then rest in God’s care, love, and timing for the answer of your prayers. Matthew 7:7-8

(4) Above all, ask the Lord to teach you what He wants to do in you and through you during your period of waiting.

Elijah had to learn the great lessons of faith by waiting on the Lord. After three years with the eye of faith resting on the promise of God, the sight of a little cloud was just the start of something big for him. In Elijah’s reaction we see the expectation of faith and a man grounded in and believing the Word of God. He didn’t hesitate. Immediately he sent his servant with a message to Ahab. “Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stops thee not.” 1 Kings 18:41-46

It took faith on Elijah’s part to announce that rain was coming when no one saw the rain. Many professed Christians are in despair today because they are locked up in doubt. Their prayers are not answered because they do not use the key of faith. Moody declared that “prayer is the golden key that unlocks the treasures of heaven.”

With that said, “Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources’ of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.” - Steps to Christ, P. 99.

What is the prayer in faith? The prayer of faith is a well-grounded assurance which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. This faith depends wholly upon the promises of God with no evidence in sight except a “thus said the Lord.” Hebrews 11:1

One of the most beautiful illustrations of the prayer of faith is found in Matthew 8:5-10. A Roman officer made supplication to Christ in behalf of his sick servant. Jesus promised to visit his home and heal the palsied man. The centurion decided that he was not worthy to receive a visit from such an honored guest, and asked Jesus to “speak the word only,” and with assurance added, “And my servant shall be healed.” Jesus spoke the word, and the Gentile officer, with no evidence in sight, believed Him, and went his way rejoicing because his servant was healed. He believed that what he hoped and prayed for was his even before it was confirmed by eyesight. Jesus marveled at such faith, and told His disciples that He had not seen “so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Since faith means depending on the word of God, there can be no genuine faith till God speaks or until we know what He has spoken. Otherwise it is presumption. This is illustrated by Peter’s experience in walking on the water. When the frightened disciples were assured that the “ghost” was Christ, Peter cried out, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” Jesus answered, “Come.” Peter knew that to jump out of the boat without an invitation would be presumption. He knew that the waters of Galilee could not hold him up. That had been demonstrated many times in his fishing experiences. He knew that Christ must speak first before he could exercise faith. It was his faith in the word “come” that held him up. This was the substance of that for which he hoped and asked. When he took his eyes off Christ and exultantly looked back at his fellow disciples, he began to sink. Jesus saved him and rebuked him for his little faith.

James declares that many of our prayers are unanswered because we “ask amiss.” It is the Word of God that tells us what we need and gives us a knowledge of the promises of God. Therefore it is the Word that regulates our praying so that we know what to ask for. We show our faith by earnestly asking for what God has promised to give. The Lord delights to fulfill His word in answer to the prayer of faith. We are told that the Lord is very liberal in His dealings with those who ask in unwavering faith. The petitioner whose faith wavers does not get anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8

Faithless prayers are unanswered prayers. Prayers of doubt are the chief reason why so few prayers are answered in this faithless generation of unbelief and skepticism. The promise is that if we ask anything in His name, it will be granted. A bank note without a signature at the bottom is a worthless piece of paper. It is the stroke of the pen that confers on it its value. Prayer is a feeble thing in itself; but when endorsed by faith through Christ, it is valuable and avails much. It is faith that endorses the check with the name or promise of Christ.

Gods’ people will receive power to witness through the door of prayer. The omnipotent would send power like a rushing wind by the Holy Spirit through prayer. Prayer is a spiritual weapon which is not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of demonic strongholds. Through prayer the saints are able to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5

Pagan bulwarks and evil strongholds fell before their prevailing prayers. “The gates of hell” could not prevail against the saints who pray. The prayers of Moses delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage and made of them a great nation. The prayers of Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and others delivered Israel from Babylonian captivity and restored the nation in their homeland. The Protestant Reformation changed the history of the world through the prayer of faith. The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian warrior today. Nothing else so enrages Satan or so surely prevails against him then the prayer of faith. He hates the name of Christ and is always alarmed when we call on Him for help against his devices. Earnest, fervent prayer causes Satan’s whole host to tremble and retreat.

He has been defeated by Christ on every battlefield in the pass, and He is still a defeated foe today. Like Paul we can say, “Thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

This triumph by faith is promised to the Christian “always” and “in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14. Satan dreads nothing more than when the saints pray in faith. The church that lost its Christ was full of good works. Its activities where multiplied but its time of meditation was set aside. Its organizations where increased but prayer found no place in their daily lives.

Through all of this, we see that souls may be lost in good works, as surely as in evil ways. The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying in faith. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray in faith. May your prayers be mix with faith always.

Song of the Day: Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus - Cadet Sisters

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Blessings, Blessing, Blessings

Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T. Santucci

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