Have you ever prayed for something and then it didn’t happen? I know I have, and if we’re honest, it’s frustrating. I remind myself of Isaiah 55:8 which says “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.” Recently, however, I find myself asking if there could be another possible explanation.
As I’ve read through the Word recently I realized belief plays a critical part of the equation. In Romans 4:20-24 Paul speaks about Abraham and his unwavering faith.
It says in verse 21 it says he was “fully persuaded” which leaves no room for doubt in my book.
In Matthew 9:22 Jesus tells the woman with the blood issue “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” In Mark 10:52 He told the blind man the same thing as He restored His sight. He makes a promise to us in Romans 10:9 we can be saved by confessing with our mouths but belief in our hearts must also be part of the equation for the miracle to take place. Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a believer in name it claim it prayers. However, Psalm 37:4 is clear “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” We must delight ourselves in Christ, meaning devote ourselves to Him, His teaching and His plans. When we do, our heart will align with His so the things we desire are the things He desires.
We need to stop begging God to do things for us like we would a judge and ask Him as a daughter or son would ask a Father, believing He will give us what we need. We are His children and He loves us.
My daughter can come into her father’s presence and climb up in his lap and ask him for anything. If it is in her best interest and within his power, he will do it. He provides for her needs and many of her wants because he loves her. She never doubts his love and rarely doubts she won’t get what she asks of him. We can have that same confidence when we go to God in prayer. We can climb into His lap and let Him know what we want and need. We can believe He is for us and He will give us all we need and a lot of what we want when we are about His business and our greatest desire is to please Him.
What would you like to see God do in your life or the life of someone you love? Have you asked Him? Do you believe He could do it and would do it for you? It is amazing how adding belief to the equation can change everything.