Author: Pastor Robin Tyner
When we consider the privilege, and the power of prayer, praying in faith cannot be emphasized enough. If we have no faith when we pray we’re “going through the motions.” There’s a sense of life-less repetition and prayer becomes a meaningless routine. I remember as a young boy, I prayed every night because I thought God had a big book, and my name was in it. Every time I prayed God would put a check by my name. I prayed the same memorized prayer every night because I wanted to make sure there were many checks by my name, which would make God happy.
The writer of Hebrews tells us “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). James reminds us it’s “the prayer offered in faith” that will bring restoration, healing, and forgiveness to our lives (James 5:15). Jesus said that, “all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).
Another important tool to cultivate faith in your prayer time is a focus on thanksgiving. So many times we find God’s people thanking Him for His mighty acts in the past as an incentive to trust Him for His provision in the future. Psalm 52:9 says, “I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope. For your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints” (Psalm 64:9-10).
I know a pastor who has a plaque in his office which says, “It is not the greatness of my faith that moves mountains, but my faith in the greatness of God.” Prayer which is established on the foundation of gratitude and worship moves upward in faith. We’re not mustering an emotional optimism. We’re lifting up the One who is the object and originator of our faith. That’s the way to pray.
Photo Credit: Joshua Earle, Unsplash
