PRAYER AND FAITH
Pray Without Ceasing
The bible tells us that we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). When we pray in accordance with God’s will, we can stand in faith believing that our prayer will be answered. There are many scriptures that tell us of God’s promised provision. These provisions meet our needs spiritually and materially. Answered prayers help to increase our faith. I have found that wishing and hoping does not move God. Prayer does. I have also found that once I pray about a matter and bring God into it, I have a new sense of peace that wasn’t there before.
God enjoys doing what seems impossible. The scripture tells us that what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). I believe that God is insulted when we do not think Him capable of solving our problems. When we dream little dreams because we think Him incapable of fulfilling big ones. When our expectations are based on our bank account, we have no need for faith. When we can see a way to do what needs to be done, we no longer have to rely on God to do it. That means we no longer have to exercise faith in the matter. Faith is “the evidence of things not seen” if we can see it, we no longer need faith.
I remember a couple of instances when I stepped out in faith for something that I had no control over. Things that only God could bring to pass. Many years ago, when I was married, my now ex-husband had quit his job to “study”. We fell far behind in paying our bills even though I was working. He had been the main bread winner. He had reapplied for his job at the phone company but had not heard from them. I prayed and asked the Lord to let them call that day with a job offer before noon. When the phone rang a little after 11:00 am and the person said they were calling from the phone company, I handed him the phone, thinking it was just another debt collecting call. It was the phone company calling to offer him a job. Praise the Lord! After so many weeks without a response from them, they called that day before noon as I had asked in my prayer.
Another time, when my daughter was not doing well in her sales job, I prayed and asked the Lord to give her 6 deals before the end of her work shift. I told Him that if she did get 6 deals, there would be no doubt in my mind that He did it. This I prayed at about 2:30 in the afternoon and her shift ends at 5:30. At 2:30 she had 0 sales. Well, God answered my prayer and gave her exactly 6 deals that day. No one can tell me that God does not hear and answer prayers. I have had too many occurrences in my life to doubt this.
Have faith in God and trust Him to hear and answer your prayers. There is nothing too hard for Him to do. When He answers, be sure to give Him the credit and the glory. The devil may try to tell you that it is just a coincidence, because He does not want you to have increased faith and to praise God. The devil is a liar whose only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He cannot destroy the things that God has purposed for His children. Jesus has all power in heaven and in earth…only believe.