Praying in Faith

Do you ever pray for things without believing God will actually answer your prayer? You may be thinking, “That’s an odd question. Why pray if I don’t believe?”

Oftentimes, we pray for God to work in situations that seem impossible from a physical standpoint, and the more we pray without seeing an answer, the more discouraged we may get. But discouragement has no place in prayer. If we have no faith that God will answer our prayers, then how can we receive the answer we so desire?

According to the Bible, our answer is received when we have faith that God will perform a work in our lives because his Word states that he answers any request that is according to his will (1 John 5:14-15). Belief is what moves our prayers, and unbelief is what hinders them. We should never doubt that God will answer, and instead rest on his promises to us when we pray in faith.

Does it seem like your loved one will never be saved? The more you pray for him or her, the deeper in sin he or she goes? Does it seem that God will not restore your marriage that is in desperate need of mending? Don’t be discouraged or despairing. Don’t stop praying. Instead, strengthen yourself with the promise that God will answer us when we believe he will work in these seemingly impossible circumstances. God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. He saved men like Paul who had hardened hearts. He opened the wombs of barren women. He can do anything. It may not be an immediate response to our cries, but God will answer.

Dear Lord, give me the ability to believe that you will act and help my unbelief. Forgive me for doubting that you will work in my life and that of others.

Throughout This Day: Invite the Spirit to show you if there is anything that is causing you to doubt God. Remind yourself of God’s ability to do the unbelievable. Take some time to read passages where God intervened when the world would have doubted that it was possible: 1 Samuel 1-2, 2 Kings 5, and Genesis 37-41. Be encouraged.