Mark 11:24
There is always a lot of confusion about the subject of faith when we are praying. Most people begin praying by pouring out their wishes at God with no idea about what God desires to do. It is no wonder that it is so important to learn to listen to what God says in prayer, because He really does reveal His will and bring assurance that He is going to do something. That assurance is faith.
The bible says that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17) Any time you bring some request before the Lord, it is wise to search scripture at the same time. As God speaks to you through scripture, assurance will come to you that He is hearing and guiding your praying. The main thing that is required in this is a yielded heart, a willingness to have God do whatever HE desires.
As human beings, we have such a tendency to demand our own way, and to be positive that what we want is what He wants. This is dangerous, because if God doesn’t produce that wonderful assurance in your heart that what you’re asking for IS what He desires, we dare not be so positive!
If we lift up some petition to the Lord, asking Him to purify our asking, inviting Him to line us up with what He wants, He will purify and gently change what we are praying for. We must be honest when we have no faith at all that He even hears, and tell Him that, asking Him to produce faith.
Then ponder the verse above—as you confess your unbelief as sin, and ask for the faith to know that God is hearing and will show you what to pray for so that what you are asking lines up with His will, it is amazing that you actually can KNOW that you have what you’ve asked for before you see it happening! A tremendous peace and a sense of well-being comes over the prayer that is in line with what God wants.
In wondering how long you pray about something—we pray until that mighty assurance comes from the Lord that He agrees with your prayer, and it is done in Heaven. (Actually He has brought you into agreement with His prayer) The promise is that if it is done in Heaven, it will surely be done onearth. And as we patiently wait, praising God for what He has already assured us that we have—we will see the thing come to pass.
Many believers simply do not believe the verse written above—that you can know that you have what you asked for, but that doubt usually comes from praying our will instead of consulting with the Lord to see what His will is. We may have to ask for the willingness to want His will, but He understands that and will even change our will for us. (Phil. 2:13)
It is indeed a marvelous thing to know that what you are asking for is even then while you are still praying being done, because God has given you assurance—FAITH.
How long shall we pray? Pray until faith comes, and then praise until you see what has been prayed for in front of your eyes.
Watchman Nee
Prayer is asking for rain. Faith is carrying the umbrella.
Robert C. Savage
The power of prayer rests in the faith that God hears it. The moment I am assured that God hears, I feel drawn to pray and to persevere in prayer.
Andrew Murray
If you pray for bread and bring no basket to carry it, you prove the doubting spirit which may be the only hindrance to the gift you want.D. L. Moody
You must pray in faith. You must expect to obtain the things for which you ask. You need not look for an answer to prayer, if you pray without any expectation of obtaining it.
Charles Finney
Prayer in faith is so uncommon, that our Lord questions if He shall find any of it on the earth when He comes back again. H. Clay Trumbell
Helplessness united with faith produces prayer. O. Hallesby
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