Introduction: Why pray if you do not have FAITH in God? Remember “without faith it is impossible to please the Lord.” But how can we pray in faith when things are not clear? For instance, some things we know to be the revealed will of God; i.e. praying for the lost – witnessing (1Tim 2:4), giving thanks in everything (1Thess 5:18), sexual immorality (1Thess 4:3), and deliverance from sin (Gal 1:4). Other things are more obscure.
So how should we pray?
1. Pray according to the Will of God! (1John 5:14,15)
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
When we are not sure from a biblical perspective what God’s will is in the matter we should pray in faith for wisdom and grace to accept His divine purpose. Will you do that right now?
2. Pray in faith because our Lord knows what is best! (Mark 11:22-24)
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
By the way, to clear up any confusion, this does not mean that whatever we want and whenever we want it, that God immediately responds to our every beckoning. Instead, this is another reminder along with other Scriptures that we are to “trust” in the Lord no matter the situation…..easier said than done, right? But once that bridge is crossed, then and only then will we experience His PEACE that passes all understanding (Phil 4:6,7).
Do you need that peace? Will you pray that right now?
Conclusion: While these are biblical principles, this is not something we will graduate from this side of heaven. So in concluding, remember the prayer of faith according to the will of God is the key to the blessings of our Lord.
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
