When you pray do you have faith that God will answer your prayers? Scripture instructs us that we need to trust that God will answer our prayers.
In order to receive an answer to our prayers we are instructed that we have faith that God wants to give us the desire of our hearts. He loves us and wants us to trust in Him. It is the desire of His heart for us to have faith. In the New Testament, Jesus says over and over again, "just believe me..." He says it to Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died; he said it to the disciples when he fed the five thousand; he encouraged those who came to him for healing that their faith had healed them.
In fact, we are commanded by Jesus to believe that he will answer our prayers. In Mark 11:22-24, when the disciples saw what had happened to the fig tree after Jesus cursed it, he encouraged them; "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."
Have an "attitude of gratitude"
So do you ever doubt that God will answer your prayers? Do what Jesus did. When Jesus told Martha and the other people present at Lazarus' tomb to take away the stone, Martha protested because she didn't believe that Jesus would be able to raise Lazarus from the dead. But Jesus said; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Then he gave thanks to God,"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
In everything, Jesus gave thanks. Paul tells us, in Philippians 4:6; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. If you are still besieged by doubts that God will answer your prayer, give thanks to Him in advance! Keep thanking him and you will receive from God eventually. Giving thanks to God before receiving the answer to your prayer will ultimately result in glory being given to God. And that's what it's all about. Give glory to God!
(1) Illness: Linda, Sue,Jerry, Jim, Joyce, Blake, Lauren, Mandy, Daniel, Jena Cabaniss, Mark
(2) Encouragement: Sue, Evelyn, Audrey, Lou, Tanya. Eric, Marcus, T.W, Baby Austin & family, Dick, Bondurant family, Tia, David, Pritchard Family, Lew, Asnley, Our Congregation and Church
(2) Encouragement: Sue, Evelyn, Audrey, Lou, Tanya. Eric, Marcus, T.W, Baby Austin & family, Dick, Bondurant family, Tia, David, Pritchard Family, Lew, Asnley, Our Congregation and Church
(3) Safe Travels: Tom & Fab
(4) Our troops and other personnel serving us in Afghanistan and Iraq.
(4) Our troops and other personnel serving us in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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