Pray and Pray, But I Have to Believe
A lady came to me and began sharing about some medical conditions that she was experiencing. (We will call her Jane.) We discussed what the doctor said, friends said, and even some medical options for her condition. A few days later, Jane came to me and said that she was improving. She had had a chronic pain since her involvement in a car accident. She smiled and said, “…And you know what? I believe that I will completely recover.” I observed that her countenance was different and her confession was positive. Jane went on to say, “The Lord spoke to me that I can pray and pray, but I have to believe.” I surely knew that, but my spirit-man leaped within me. “Okay God, I know that.” …But do I pray and pray but not believe?
Sometimes, we are so busy asking God for many things. “Lord, please give me… Lord, please heal… Lord, help me…” Are we to ask the Lord? …Of course. Jesus said in John 16:23, “And in that day, ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” We must ask in faith (James 1:6). Faith is confidence (Heb. 11:1). In other words, when we ask, we must be confident that it is ours before we have it. How is that possible? Well, are you born again? How did you know? Have you seen Jesus? Have you been to heaven? We believe that we are saved because we believed the Word. We called upon Jesus’ name and confessed that we were saved, based on Romans 10:10&13
Faith is necessary if we are going to receive answers to our praying. How do I get faith? Romans 10:17 tells us that it comes by “hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Do we know the promises of God’s Holy Word that declares an answer to our prayer? If not, what is our faith in? …Our prayer? That will not get it! We read in Hebrews 6:12, “…through faith and patience we inherit the promises.” Confidence in God’s Word and remaining “single-minded” on that fact will bring His promises to past.
“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.” Notice, Jesus told us to “say” three times. We are to speak to mountains (problems), demanding them to go, in Jesus’ name. We have what we “say”, when we believe and not doubt in our hearts. When we ask, we must “believe that we receive”, then we will receive our desires. … So, what if I ask, and I honestly realize that I do not have confidence (faith) in my heart, that what I asked for is mine? Then, keep declaring the promises of God, which concerns your request. Also, Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” As we ask, we then thank the Lord for our answer by faith (confidence without seeing the answer). Peace will come; a “knowing” that our prayer is answered. Jesus said, “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (James 16:24).