7. How to Pray – Believe and Have Faith
When we ask anything from God, we must believe that He hears our prayer. Furthermore, trusting God, we need to act on what we believe.
Believe and taking action by Faith
Believing is like taking the position but faith is taking the action on what we believe. We can believe and not do anything about what we believe, while it takes faith to act or do according to what we believe. For example, we can believe but do not speak out about it. We can believe in God but never pray, ask, or read the bible to know what God is saying or who God is.
However, it is by faith, we confess and speak out, we go to church, we ask God in prayer, we read the bible, we serve, forgive, love, care for others and so on.
- Romans 10:10, NLT
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. - James 2:17 WEB
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
When we truly believe in God, and are convinced, then why would we not pray and ask God? Unless we do not believe that God will hear or answer our prayer, or we are not so convinced, that God will answer our prayer at least.
- Hebrews 11:6, ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
By praying, we are taking action by faith. Still, we need to further believe God heard and will answer us, and stand on God’s goodness that God will give us the best, instead of waverting or doubting.
- James 1:6, 7, But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord – WEB
Of course, many times we are weak, and doubt. So we need to keep reminding ourselves and build our faith in God through knowing God and His Word.
- Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – WEB
Also we can ask God, and we know that God who understands our weakness is merciful and gracious to us especially when we cry out to him for help, like unto the father whose son was crying out for deliverance for his demon possessed son.
- Mark 9:23~25, Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him.
Believing and Resting in God
When we have prayed, we need to trust and rest in God, Whose name is Jehovah Jireh (God Who will “See to it”), which means not only that God will provide and supply to us but in anything that God will look into it, and already made provisions for us (Genesis 22:8, 13, 14, ram caught in a thicket).
Thus after we pray we should not be in a rush but rest in God that God heard, knows and will see to it in a best way, which may not alway mean what we even prayed for, or at our timing.
- Isaiah 28:16, He who is believing does not make haste – LSV (or ISV – not act hastily)
Believing Rejoice in God
So believing, we should also rejoice in God, knowing that God will bring it to pass, though at that point of time we may not see with our own eyes yet.
- Psalms 27:13, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. – NKJV
It is in believing and trusting in God that we can rest in God and our heart can be quietened. As we quieten in God we can be strengthened in His presence and in Who God is.
- Isaiah 30:15, In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength (ESV)
- Isaiah 7:9 .. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established (stand at all). – WEB
Believing or rather knowing God knows our prayer, we should also wait with patience, looking forward to God’s way and not our way, God’s timing and not our timing. Remember God Who loved us so much that He sacrificed even His Own Son, Lord Jesus, on the cross, desires to give us nothing less than the best, although we need to still understand that we will only come to the ultimate understanding when we have entered into Eternal Home, in Father’s house, where He will reveal all to us.
- Romans 8:25,
But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. – WEB - Romans 8:32,
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Nothing is impossible for those who Believe
As stated above of what Lord Jesus said,
- Mark 9:23~25, Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
We must never forget Who we are believing and trusting in. The very God Who created the heavens and earth, and all things by the power of His Word. That God is all powerful and He is the Almighty God
- Luke 1:37, For with God nothing will be impossible.
- Jeremiah 32:27, “Look, I am the LORD, the God who rules over all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” – ISV
- John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?” – WEB
So Pray, believing and trusting :
- God Hears us and knows us
- God is able
- God will answer or give us the best at best timing, like the best father who love the children and wants best for them
- God will see us through