(Mark 11:22-24 NLT) Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing with our 10 Steps to Preparedness in Prayer. In our last message I gave you Step 7: Give Thanks. Today we will discuss Step 8: Believe.
When it comes down to it I believe most pastors have a ‘core message;’ something that is the underlying basis of their ministry. I know what my ‘core message’ is, and it is FAITH. I can teach different series’ and address a variety of topics, but when the rubber meets the road, the message the Father has given me to preach is a message of faith in God. Flowing in this vein the Father has blessed me to help people expand their capacity to believe God, to get to the point where they are able to remove the artificial limits they had placed on their limitless God, so that He is free to operate in their lives. Why is all of this important? It is important because if we fail to believe, to operate in faith, and to put faith-pressure on God to manifest His promises in our lives, then we will unquestionably live beneath His best and it will not be God’s fault.
I’ve had people say to me, “Oh Rick, I’ve tried that faith-stuff and it didn’t work.” To which I respond, “No, faith tried you and you didn’t work.” If you are looking for Biblical evidence to support my assertion, you need look no further than our passage for today. In a passage where Jesus spoke to a fig tree and the tree did what He said, Jesus taught His disciples that they could do the same. Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” In the original Greek what Jesus said is better translated, “Have the God-kind of faith.” What kind of faith is that? It’s the kind of faith that speaks to its situation, fully believing that their prayer will come to pass, without any doubt whatsoever. When you operate in this kind of faith Jesus said, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” But what if you don’t believe? What if you allow doubt to creep into your heart? What if you experience a faith-failure? Well, then you most likely won’t see the manifestation of the answer to your prayer. If this happens, don’t blame God or satan.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that when you pray, you MUST resist every temptation to doubt and fear. Fear cancels faith, just like faith cancels fear. Jesus prayed with complete confidence and He expects us to do the same. In closing, remember:
1. Nothing is impossible with God.
2. Resist doubt at all costs. Learn to doubt your doubts.
3. Believe with your whole heart when you pray.
4. Walk away from your prayer session like it’s already done! Say, “I believe I receive when I pray!”
Closing Confession: Father, I am a believer and not a doubter. I fully believe Your Word. Your Word teaches me that all things are possible for him who believes. Well, I believe, so all things are possible for me. I remove every artificial limit I have ever placed on You, my limitless God, and I declare, by faith, that my possibilities are endless. I am open to everything You desire to do in my life. I will not hinder You from moving in my life because of fear, doubt, or unbelief. I have the God-kind of faith. Like You, I call those things which be not as though they were. I pray in faith, fully believing, not doubting, and my prayers are heard and responded to. I believe I receive when I pray. Faith can try me, because I am I am full of faith, full of belief, full of hope, full of expectation and free of all doubt! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
