‘Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’ Mark 11:24 NKJV
One of the dangers in praying is not expecting God to answer. The Bible says, ‘Without faith no one can please God. We must believe… God is real and… He rewards everyone who searches for Him.’ (Hebrews 11:6 CEV) The only currency God trades in is faith, and ‘faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Romans 10:17 NKJV) As you immerse yourself in Scripture, faith takes root and begins to grow. And faith is what makes your prayers effective. But what if your faith lines up with God’s Word and the answer is delayed? Keep praying and believing! ‘Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.’ (Hebrews 10:35–36 NIV)
When a rural farming community was hit by severe drought, the local church called a prayer meeting. Almost everybody in town showed up (interesting how trouble has a way of getting our attention). As the pastor stood before a packed church he noticed an 11-year-old girl beaming with excitement in the front row. Lying on the pew beside her was a bright red umbrella poised and ready for use. The beauty and innocence of the sight made him smile, as he compared the child’s faith with that of all the others in the church. Looking at the congregation, he announced: ‘The rest of us came to pray for rain, but she came expecting God to answer!’
So don’t just pray—believe!
SoulFood: Dan 1–2, Luke 3:11–20, Ps 81, Prov 2:11–15
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024
