And without faith it is impossible to please him. – Hebrews 11:6
Faith is more than mental assent. You can acknowledge that a chair is stable. However, when you actually sit on it, that is faith acting on what you claim to be true. You can say you believe God answers prayer but, unless you actually pray, you are not living by faith.
Throughout the Bible, it is evident that prayer is important. But with so many needs, how do you go about it? Prayer comes in many forms, one of which is “practicing God’s presence” – when you talk with God throughout the day, quietly within, and worship Him with thanksgiving and praise. In prayers of petition, you ask God to meet specific needs, great and small. Another type of prayer is intercession on behalf of those who do not know the Lord or for the needs of others. Prayer intensifies with fasting. Corporate prayer is praying with other Christians in unity, the way the believers did when Peter was jailed (Acts 12:5). There are also “no-matter-how-long-it-takes” prayers, which may take days, weeks, months, or even longer. Daniel spent three weeks mourning, abstaining from delicacies, praying, and neglecting personal comfort until an angel was able to bring the answer, though God had heard him on the very first day (Daniel 10:2-3, 12).
As you begin the new year today, examine and practice the prayers of the Bible. Direct your concern about what you see happening in the United States to God and ask Him to intervene. Pray for wayward souls to repent and turn to God and receive His will and blessings in their lives. Pray, believing that, like the sturdy chair, He will hold you up and work His purpose in this nation.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:26-32
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
