Oh ye of Little Faith

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Sometimes I wonder how I can say I know how to pray in Faith.  Scripture says “God can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine”.  Definitely I have seen God answer many prayers but if I limit what I bring before God because I don’t feel worthy, or wondering if I am asking in line with His word or purpose I am limiting how active my faith is.   How many times do I give up in my prayers because I don’t see them answered in a timeline I want.  How many times do I fall into thinking that God is all powerful and has a plan and purpose for all things so why should I ask – His plan will be done with or without my prayer.  So why pray? – Scripture says – We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. We are to pray for the lost, We are to pray for those who are sick.  We are to pray for wisdom, We are to pray for healing of body and relationships. We are to pray for God’s leading.  We are to pray that our eyes, ears, and heart will be open to this leading.  We are to pray for our leaders. We are to pray for one another.  We are to pray to grow and understand our dependance on God in our life. Do not limit what you bring before God – He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine – there is no room for doubting what God can do

Matthew 21:20
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double- minded man, unstable in all his ways

Present with God

How many times do we allow anxious thoughts to  overrun our lives?  How much time do we spend chasing these thoughts over and over again, stacking up more unanswerable questions and concerns?  Why do we fear the unknown reasons, thoughts, and potential actions of others? Scripture never says we will not see trials in our lives but it certainly says that our Father in Heaven will never leave us or forsake us.  We seem to fear the unknown of what man has done or will do over what God has promised He will do?  Do not allow the fear of the unknown rob you from living in the present with God.

Matthew 10:31
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows

Matthew 6:25
Look at the birds of the air:they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life

Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do Not Be Anxious

How many times do we fret and worry about that which we have little control over?  Much of our worry can be left in our Fathers hands.  When looking at ourselves in the mirror where do we turn first – to worry and being anxious or to God? I wonder what life would be like if we turned to God first.   These are a few verses from a song  “First” by Lauren Dangle:

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You

Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy

Before I speak a word
I will bring my heart
And seek You

Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life

6:27
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

6:31
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat? ’ or ‘What shall we drink? ’ or ‘What shall we wear? ’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him

Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus