Prayers and Faith

When we build our faith in the word of God, we are like the wise man that built his house on a rock. We can stand against the storms that come against us. We can realize immediately that we are being nudged of the path of God and return to God’s path. Jesus explained it this way.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

God, Our Foundation

How and where do you hear the saying of Jesus? In the word of God. If you are interested in building a house/life that stands the test of time and endures every storm, read and study the word of God. Make the word of the foundation of your life. In it is no sinking sand.  

Your faith will be tested! Are you ready for the tests? Paul told the Christian in Corinth, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).  

The Promises of Abraham are Ours

The beautiful benefits of standing steadfast in faith are receiving the promises given to Abraham. What were the blessings of Abraham?

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3). 

Faith in Jesus Christ

The good news of the gospel is that God has provided the promised “seed,” which is Jesus Christ. By faith in Him, sinners are saved and become the children (the “seed”) of God. They thus enter the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant.

“Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:6-9).

By faith in Jesus Christ, we are recipients of the promises made to Abraham. If you and I could wrap our minds around the true meaning of these promises, we would jump with joy. Just the thought of God making these promises to Abraham thousands of years ago and through the faithfulness of God, they apply to us today. So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham.

Faith in Action

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:1-6).

Be doers of the word and not hearers only. When the word of God says to believe, believe. When the word of God says to have faith, have faith.

When we walk in the plan of God and diligently seek his purpose, He answers our prayers. “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). When we abide in Jesus and His word abides in us, we will know what to ask for. Our desires will line up with His will, and any prayer that is within God’s will shall be answered. The answer to our prayers has more to do with our faithfulness to God than “if God will answer our prayers.” He said He would. Therefore, there is no question of “if He will.” God is faithful. Man sometimes is not so faithful.  

Our faith develops and grows stronger when we seek the will of God. Just because we come up with a wonderful plan does not mean it is God’s plan for us. We should seek His will for our lives. We should see to know His plan and His purpose for us. We do this by praying, asking, and seeking Him in His word and listening to the small, still voice of the Holy Spirit.

 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Action in faith is reading the word of God and acting on the word of God. If the word says it, it is true and act on it. This is truth and the truth shall set you free.

Read More. . . Part 3: Prayers and Faith