THE PRAYER OF FAITH

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

(Matt.21:22 N.I.V.)

Matthew 21 tells of a rather strange event with a startling declaration. Coming into Jerusalem on the morning after His triumphal entry, Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree ahead on the road. But when He reached it He found leaves but no figs.

“May you never bear fruit again.” Jesus cursed the tree. And it withered. His disciples were shocked that the tree withered so quickly.

“If you have faith and do not doubt," Jesus said, "you can say to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done’”

I want us to examine the one caveat Jesus puts on this tremendous declaration.

“Whatever you ask, believing.” The word translated, "believing” is a verb for faith. Faith is not an emotion you can drum up. "I believe! I believe!"

Many prayers in these days are desire driven or flesh driven prayers rather than faith driven. Let me share with you several aspects of faith that shine light on what Jesus told us.

First, and foremost faith is a relationship. Once you understand this you can understand the humility, submissiveness and dependence of faith.

"Faith," Paul wrote, "comes from hearing Christ.” (Rom.10:17). The secret to participating in earth shaking miracles is listening to God's voice. Just before Elijah called fire down from heaven, he prayed (1 Kings 18:36) for the people to know there was a God in Israel, and that he had done everything according to God’s direction.

You may well have the privilege of praying for greater miracles than Elijah in these days. But you will only know how to pray from listening to God in the intimacy of faith.