Believe in Prayer

Matthew 21:18-22  “Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

The fear of heights is a common fear that many people share. If you asked someone with this fear that, if they had to, would they be able to climb a tall tower and look over the edge? While they may be physically able to, the fear in their minds will prevent them from even attempting it. They have a lack of faith in their abilities. They don’t believe.

This is similar to prayer to God. Jesus taught that all things that you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. But faith is the key. You have got to believe in the power of prayer completely.

I once overheard someone say that prayer doesn’t work, that it is a “hoax.” This individual was obviously an unbeliever who did not understand what faith was. Prayer does work, but it requires that you put your faith in Christ. You have to pray, believing in the power of prayer. 

To “believe in” someone or something means “to hold confidence and trust in that person or concept.”

We have to place our faith in God that He will keep His promises. There can never be any doubt in our minds when we come to the Lord in prayer. He can do all things, and there is nothing that is impossible for God. 

Prayer is a very, very powerful tool that every Christian has access to to petition God for our needs. Then prophet Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and a half years. He prayed again and the skies opened up and the rains came. This is not just a “coincidence”. This is a result of a faith-filled prayer.

James 5:17-18  “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

The Apostles did many incredible miracles, but that power did not come from themselves. They were flesh and blood like everyone else, but when they believed in Christ they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, through which they performed miracles, healed sickness, and raised the dead. How was this possible? Faith and belief.

Mark 11:24  “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

God wants to give us spiritual things, but as James taught, you need to ask in faith. No wavering. No doubt. Complete trust and belief in God’s promise.

James 1:5-7  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

If you don’t really believe that you’re going to receive what you ask for when you pray, then don’t expect to have your prayers answered. As Jesus said “according to your faith be it unto you.” 

Faith can move mountains. How strong is your faith?

In Christ,

Andrew