Believe Jesus When You Pray

We can have all our doctrines right and be experts in the Scriptures like the Pharisees, but it will be of no use unless we apply it to our lives by faith.

This was the reason why those Israelites whom God delivered out of Egypt could not enter their promised land: "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).

For the same reason, God cannot answer our prayers unless we pray in faith: "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:6-7).

Can You Believe?

Two blind men came to Jesus and said to Him, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"
(Matthew 9:27).

Why did they phrase their petition for healing in this way? According to tradition, being blind was a punishment and curse for something terrible they or their forefathers must have done. So the men actually were saying to Jesus, "You know that we are not worthy of getting anything from You. If You would do this for us, it is Your choice and mercy."

And the Lord answered them, "According to your faith let it be to you" (Matthew 9:29).

With this Jesus was saying, "The question is not whether I am willing to show mercy—I am always willing—but can you believe?" They could, and they immediately received their sight.

We Must Hold Onto the Word

The faith we need to see our prayers answered only comes and develops from God's Word: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

Yet so much of the Bible teaching we hear and the Scripture we study or memorize is taken away by the enemy, either through our unbelief or because we don't hold on to it and meditate on it.

Joshua was instructed by God not to let the book of the Law depart from his mouth, but to meditate on it day and night in order to have success (see Joshua 1:8).

Continuously meditating on God's Word drives it deep into our hearts and develops faith.

Our Faith Must Be in Jesus

Abraham believed God when it was impossible for him to have a son. The blind men believed in Jesus to get their sight.

Likewise, our faith does not rest on our faith, or in some imaginations we cook up on feelings. Instead, our faith is in the person of Jesus Christ.

When we pray for a need, let us deliberately say, "Jesus, You are more than able to do this. I believe You can do it and I trust You to do it."

It Takes a Childlike Heart to Believe

I heard the story of a father who was frantically trying to rescue his little son from their burning two-story house.

The child was alone upstairs, and the father couldn't get to him because of the flames and smoke.

Standing downstairs in an open area, he called out to his son.

"Daddy, I can't see you! I can't see you!" the boy answered.
"Son, jump!" the father shouted.
"I can't see you, Daddy," the boy hesitated.
"Can you hear my voice?" the father asked.
"Yes!" the child cried.
"Then jump in the direction of my voice," his father responded. "Don't worry; I will catch you." The child jumped, and his father caught him in his arms and carried him to safety.

We may find ourselves in the midst of confusion that feels like thick smoke and flames, where our rational thinking and reason don't work. That's when we need to respond and pray like a little child: "I don't understand, Lord, but I will jump at Your Word and trust You to fulfill Your promise."

Nothing is impossible with God.

Whatever your need may be today, Jesus is able and willing to help you. There is nothing impossible with Him.

Fill your heart with God's Word, meditate on it and put your faith in Jesus. And then, when you pray, believe like a little child and you will see your Heavenly Father meet your need.