Sometimes we receive letters from people who say that they have prayed and prayed but have not received an answer from God. Why would someone pray and not get an answer from Him? Does God favor some people over others? Is He a respecter of persons? Does He only answer the prayers of the important people? Why does it seem that some prayers don’t get answered?
In James 1:5, the Bible says that if anyone lacks wisdom then all they have to do is to ask God, who gives to all liberally and He will give them wisdom. But it goes on to say that when we ask God for something, we must ask Him in faith. Verse 7 says that if we don’t ask in faith, then we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. To ask in faith means to believe God regardless of what we see. If God says He will heal, if God says He will provide, if God says He will supply, then asking in faith means we believe Him so completely that in our minds and mouths, it has already been accomplished.
When we pray, if we expect to receive what we are praying for, we must pray in faith. We must believe that we have received what we have requested. We must believe that God has done what He said He would do in His Word. And not only must we believe Him, but we must act on that belief. To pray in faith means that we are not affected by what we see. We are to walk by faith and not by sight (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Praying in faith produces faith words. We need to speak God’s promise and not the problem. Instead of talking about how things look, talk about what God has promised. Quote His Word. Pray in faith. And, according to Jesus, you will receive your request.
For example, if we have a physical need, we should take God’s Word and believe it. What did He say in His Word about sickness? Well, in Psalm 103:3, for instance, the Bible says that God is the one who heals all our diseases. Is God’s Word true or is it a lie? Does God heal our diseases or doesn’t He? Do we believe the Word, or do we believe the world? Many people never see the miracle power of God because they believe what they see instead of what God said.
Here’s the point. When we have a request, we can petition God in prayer, and He will meet our needs. But according to the Bible, He only answers our petitions when we pray in faith.
Devotion 0075
The Cutting Edge 