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In last month's article, "Praying More Effectively, Part I," we
discussed the power of forgiveness and repentance, and what it truly
means for us to be a clear channel for God to use. As we continue this
journey on learning the art of effective prayer, we want to look at
what it means to BE SPECIFIC in our praying.
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I
say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his
heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come
to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:22-24 KJV)
Specific prayers get us specific results. Often times as Christians,
we pray general prayers in hopes that something will happen simply
because we asked God to help us out a little in what we decided about
a matter before we ever presented it to Him. Oftentimes, it feels good
to the conscience to know that you have prayed and acknowledged God.
But that's not how the Father instructs us to pray which is targeted,
bold, direct, and in faith! Now there isn't anything terribly wrong or
damaging with praying in generalities at times. However, we have to
come to grips with the fact that our faith is not general. It is both
targeted and specific. And if we are ever going to show forth our
faith by our works, we are going to have to get specific in our
asking.
Specific prayers get us specific results.
Faith requires corresponding action, one of those actions being
expectation. How can you expect something that you don't define? You
won't. It is nearly possible.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him
ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think
that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is
unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 KJV)
Asking in faith requires us not to waver. When faith settles down on
the inside and becomes resolute within the human heart, it becomes
ready and able to then pray the prayer of faith. This is praying
effectively!
As mentioned last month, "If our heart does not condemn us, we have
confidence before God," (1 John 3:21 NASB). This passage goes on to
say that when we pray this way, "whatever we ask, we receive." There
is a difference attributed to prayer when it is made in this way. Why?
Well, we see here clearly that it was both a settled heart and
specific asking that were highlighted characteristics of prayer.
What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will
give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a
snake, will he? … How much more will your Father who is in Heaven give
what is good to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:9-11)
As children of an amazing Father, we have an incredible advantage
available to us. Our posture is not that of beggars and servants, nor
of those with no relationship with their God. We are God's children
and our Father is ever ready to give us good gifts by answering our
prayers. As long as our fellowship is in tact, we have a clear,
unhindered channel to our Daddy's throne. He is waiting to respond to
the cries of his sons and daughters in unbroken fellowship, love, and
mercy.
As long as our fellowship is in tact, we have a clear, unhindered
channel to our Daddy's throne.
Specific prayers don't frighten God. They challenge us to release our
faith in His ability. Before we can even mouth our petitions, He
already knows what we are going to ask. He lives between our life's
secrets and the intentions of our heart. When our lives agree with
Him, in word and in deed, our asking becomes His own. Talk about
agreement! From this posture, we pray pinpoint, blameless prayers that
are full of faith. This three-fold cord of purity, specificity, and
consistency begins to bring about answers to prayer like that spoken
of by the writer in Psalm 126. He speaks of The Lord answering
Israel's petition to be restored from captivity. He says that they
were like "those who dream." You are going to begin receiving answers
to prayer that you haven't even dreamed of!
You are going to begin receiving answers to prayer that you haven't
even dreamed of!
Be inspired today. Believe again. Keep the faith. Your answer is on
the way. Stay aligned. Stand still and see the salvation of our God.
Answers to prayer are coming into fruition just for you. Fear not.
Only believe!
