Pray Like Jesus By Pastor Mark DriscollSýnishorn

Praying Fervently in Faith 

Once we know what prayer is and how it relates to our relationship with God the Father, the next logical question is, “How should we pray?”.

In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Start with faith. We need to have faith that God exists, that he loves us, that he wants to take care of us, that he hears us, and that he wants us to have all we need. We need to have faith that the Spirit is teaching us to pray. We need to have faith that Jesus has died to forgive our sins, making us children whose prayers the Father chooses to hear.

 Like all dads, God reserves three potential answers to all prayers: Yes, No, or Later. Sometimes we pray for things and we lament, “God didn’t answer my prayer.” But he did. He just said no. “No” is an answer.

Some years ago, it was bedtime in my house, and three of my kids made requests. First kid comes up and says, “Dad, I’m hungry, can I have some grapes?”  Yes. That’s a do-able request.

The next kid approached and says, “Dad, I’m thirsty, can I have a Coke?” No. There’s no bedtime Coke. You don’t have to stay up to study for mid-terms, you’re six. Have some water.

The next kid comes up and says, “Dad, I really enjoyed swimming with you today, can we go swimming again right now?” Later. We’ll swim again. But not at ten o’clock at night. Right now, it’s time for bed.

Three kids, three requests. I don’t love any of them any less than the others. All three are my children whom I love and want to please. But based on the requests and the timing of the requests, they got three different answers. And that’s how God answers us: Yes, No, or Later.

One of the simplest ways to pray in faith is to pray with the belief that God hears our prayers but that not getting what we want doesn’t mean God isn’t answering. Keep praying! Don’t just pray once and move on. 

Luke 18:1 reads, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Have you been praying for something for a long time that you believe is in God’s will? Keep praying. 

Why?

First, because you’ll keep hoping. Fervent prayer keeps your heart inclined toward God and his blessings. The communication of prayer deepens your love for God, and 1 Corinthians 13:7 tells us that true love always hopes.

Second, fervent prayer will maintain a willingness in you to grow and be changed. Once you stop praying, you stop caring. But if you keep praying, your heart will grow more and more tender toward the things of God. 

Third, if you keep praying you keep loving. If you keep praying for people, you will grow in love for people. If you keep praying for God’s help and blessings in your life, you will grow in love for God. 

So, if you’re single and you are called to marriage, keep praying for your future spouse. Doing this is not only a great gift to your future partner, it also helps guard your own heart against temptation while you wait.

If you need a job, keep praying for one and seeking until your prayer is answered by God. If you are sick, keep praying for healing until you are healed in this life or taken home to be perfectly healed in God’s kingdom. 

Wait and pray in hope, and this hopeful, fervent expectancy will conform your heart to the will of God whatever his answer might be to your prayer. 

God isn’t sitting back waiting until we do a good job, withholding his love and provision from us until we have earned it. He loves us already and doesn’t want us to withhold our hearts from him.

Please don’t think your concerns are too little for God. God is your Father, and like any parent who really loves their child no request is too small. Your Father is always listening to your requests and always willing to help you. 

Reflection:

1. Is there anything that you believe is in God’s will but that you have stopped praying about? If so, spend some time praying for that person or thing again today. 

2. What thing do you struggle to trust God with your life? Spend some time today discussing that with the Lord today, as well as discussing your fears about it with him.