Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Secret of Believing Prayer

Right now I am reading "Believing Prayer" by Andrew Murray and I want to share what He has to say.

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:22-24

The promise of answered prayer is preceded by "Have faith in God." This is where faith in answered prayer comes from. It is only when we enjoy a personal, loving relationship with God Himself that our whole being is opened up to the mighty influence of His holy presence and the capacity will be developed in us for believing that He gives whatever we ask. That is so cool! The better we come to know our Lord, the greater our capacity to believe that He gives us whatever we ask of Him.

When we enter into this living fellowship with God Himself, in the faith that sees and hears Him, it becomes natural to believe His promises regarding prayer. The prayer of faith is rooted in the life of faith. Surely for one who knows his Father well and lives in constant close fellowship with Him, it is a simple thing to believe the promise that He will do the will of His child. Once again we see that when we know our Lord well and live in fellowship with Him, deep abiding fellowship, it is simple to believe that He will answer our prayers.

Learn to believe God, to take hold of Him, to let Him take possession of your life; then it will be easy to take hold of the promise. He who knows and trusts God finds it easy to trust the promise as well. Trust in God, believe Him, offer yourself up to Him completely and it will be easy to believe all that He has said He will do.

O God, I do truly believe in You. I believe You are my Father; I believe in Your infinite love and power. I believe in Your Son, my Redeemer and my life. And I believe in Your Holy Spirit, my Comforter, Guide, and strength. Three-in-One God, I have faith in You. I know and am certain that all You are You are to me, that all You have promised You will perform. Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Teach me to take time to wait and worship in Your holy presence until my faith appropriates all there is in You for me. Let me see You as the strength to accomplish Your will in the world and in me. Let me see Your love that is longing to meet and fulfill all my desires. Let Your love so take possession of my heart and life that through faith I will know You dwelling in me. Lord Jesus, help me, that with my whole heart I might believe in You. Let my faith in You fill me every moment. My blessed Savior, how can Your church glorify you? How can it fulfill the work of intercession, through which Your kingdom must come, unless our whole life is filled with faith in God? Blessed Lord, speak Your Word, "Have faith in God," into the depths of my soul. Amen.