Has God ever challenged you? Perhaps pointed out flaws in your thinking? Had you question whether or not your beliefs have lined up with what He said in His word?
Recently, God has challenged me with regard to my prayer life.
Have you ever prayed, wanting God to hear and answer your prayer, but wondering if He really would? How we pray makes all the difference.
God has helped me see where I have done that. For some reason, it’s very easy for me to believe that God will answer my prayers on behalf of others. It’s also fairly easy for me to believe that God will answer others’ prayers on my behalf. Yet, He showed me that there are times I struggle to believe He is interested or will answer my prayers for my own needs.
Pray in faith
Scripture repeatedly tells us, however, the importance of believing when we pray.
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
Pray in faith.
Consequences of unbelief in prayer
Scripture also clearly explains the consequences for our unbelief when we pray.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:6-8)
Reading David’s words in the Psalms has encouraged me in my own prayer life. Psalm 17:6 says, “I am praying to you, because I know you will answer, God.”
Do you pray knowing God WILL answer?
How often do we get on social media, or call to ask our friends their opinions? Sometimes we call our parents for their perspective or even seek wise counsel from pastors or therapists. But David knew where his help came from. David took his needs straight to God because he knew God would answer. That was the kind of faith that God answers.
One of my favorite words in the Bible is the word “will.” Whenever we read the word “will” in Scripture, we can know it is an assurance of things to come. It comes with certainty, just like a promise.
Psalm 17:6 offers a promise that God will answer our prayers. My prayers for you, your prayers for me, and yes, even our prayers for ourselves.
How we pray makes all the difference: we must pray to God believing He will answer. He holds all the answers to every situation we encounter.
How often do you pray with the confidence that God WILL answer—not hoping, not wondering but believing that God will answer?
Let me encourage you to go to God with your needs first. He’s always waiting, reading to listen, and wanting to provide. So why would we turn to friends, parents, pastors, counselors, or social media before we would share the most important parts of our lives with God?
Let’s go to God in prayer, believing He will answer, and giving Him the freedom to answer however, whenever He chooses, knowing it will be for our good and for His glory.
Pray believing He will answer
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Even when it’s painful, persevere in prayer.
Announcing: Your Hope-Filled Perspective Radio Show!
Mark your calendar for Monday mornings at 6:00 am CST! My first radio program airs this morning at 6:00 am.
On “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson,” we’ll focus on restoring hope, renewing minds, and empowering listeners to live in their God-given identity.
The first two episodes will focus on depression. Then, we’ll interview guests to find and share answers to real-life problems.
If you have any show ideas for future episodes, please share in the comments or send me a message on my contact page! Also, please share any guest recommendations you have.
We are excited to spend time with you!
Listen live here or listen to the replay: http://graceandtruthradio.world/
Yes… God always hears and answers our prayers! But isn’t the reality that sometimes His answer no?
Oh I love this message!! It is an amazing Hope-Filled Perspective and just confirms how I pray!! Thank you so much!! I DO pray believing and expecting and Father has just confirmed that in my heart through the scriptures you shared and through seeing Him answer my prayers in each situation where I took it to Him and released it to Him trusting Him with my needs. I pray many will read this and begin praying this way and they too will see miracles happen! Love and appreciate you so much Dr. Michelle!!
Amen! As you said, we can’t define how He is going to answer. Realizing that has been the key to my becoming more and more certain of His answers. I see the answers to my prayers by looking back. I see that the things I once fretted over never happened. I see that even when I didn’t know how He would do it, He always provided. I see that in every place where I had an unmet need, He Himself was enough for me. He’s become more and more precious to me over the years. Now when I pray I know for certain that His answer will be perfect. It will be just the right thing, at just the right time. And I can praise Him for what He is going to do, even when I can’t see His hand at work right now.
Yes, my prayer life is always something I need encouragement in. There have been many times that I’ve prayed something without really believing that He cared. But His Word promises that He does care and that He hears all of our prayers and knows what we have need of. Thank you for this encouraging post!
Thanks for this great post on prayer! Prayer is one of the most important tools in our Christian tool belt. Yet, we utilize it far too little. How we pray certainly does make a difference. I’m a big believer in praying specifically. If we don’t pray specifically how do we know when our prayers are answered? And praying with confidence and faith is so important as well. Pinned. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!