eVotional: Mark 11:24

Believe That God Hears Your Prayer

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

It defeats the purpose to ask God for something in prayer and then not believe he’s going to do it. Why ask? He definitely does not want us to live according to random prayers for whatever we desire, so we must ask wisely. But we should not grow weary in such good doing. If there is no answer or the answer is ‘no” there is a very good reason for it. Part of our duty as followers of God is to become aligned with God. The effective, fervent prayers of the righteous accomplish a lot (Jas 5:16).

God’s timing is just not the same as ours. I think my timing is much better because it is quicker! But apparently quickness is not necessarily better. I know, bizarre. But we have assurance that we can do and have all things through Christ who gives us strength. Christ brought down the strongholds. It is because of him, and we really need to understand that. If He’s the center and the reason for God pouring out his blessings upon us, then it is easier to understand how it is that we may receive them. If God’s aid was dependent on my or your own perfection, there would be no salvation. I know I blew it long ago.

Showing God we believe is through giving him praise by our actions, living like he has already responded to prayer, and as if we are going to start seeing the evidence today! It’s not about trusting our eyes or feelings. And it is even not in trusting the work of our own hands. I am so thankful God doesn’t look for blind faith as sometimes we misinterpret from what God is trying to teach us. There must be a reason for our faith. There must be a reason for what we do. The faith part is stepping out in response to our trust in God.

There is plenty of evidence that he who began a good work in you is continuing to perform it even as we speak! Isn’t there? God is at work. That is evident. God provides just enough confirmation so that we will believe, walk forward in faith, and receive that which he desires to give us as we trust in him.