And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. – Matthew 21:22
What is the difference between expectation and faith? Conventional wisdom in the self-help world encourages you to release your expectations of others and make space for people to be broken and “human” in your relationships. In a person-to-person context, that is good advice! But what about your relationship with God?
The Bible illustrates that your spiritual walk is founded on God’s character and the trust you place in Him. “Ask of Me” is a theme in Scripture that reveals the Lord wants you to bring your requests to Him in faith. Faith is believing God is who He says He is, regardless of anything else. However, at the point of dashed hopes, you may set your expectations too low and miss that He is listening and answering. He is bringing you into the likeness of His beautiful Son (Romans 8:29), creating in you a heart of gratitude. He is redeeming and restoring the world to praise Him, despite chaos and confusion. Your circumstances may be uncomfortable, but He is good and His mercy towards humankind is infinite. Your prayers contribute to what God is accomplishing today. “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).
God will do all things in His own time, according to His will. Intercede today for U.S. legislators and others with decision-making responsibilities who do not know God to come to faith and put their trust in Him. Continue to pray for this nation with expectation and have faith that God is doing good things according to His will.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
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: Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask 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.
