Nina Smit

But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

~ James 1:6-7

James writes that faith is a precondition of answers to prayer. My husband says that faith and prayer are the two legs a Christian stands on. You don’t get far with only one leg, but with both legs you can comfortably move just where you want. Likewise, it doesn’t work to pray just when you want something from God. God only answers the prayers of His obedient children that have an intimate relationship with Him and believe in Him absolutely.

When you pray in faith, you get the things you ask God for, Jesus promises in Mark 11:24: “Listen to me! You can pray for anything and if you believe, you will have it.” However, we know only too well that we don’t get everything we ask God for, even if we firmly believe that we will get it. God doesn’t always give you exactly what you ask for, because He knows what is best for you. Thus, if your prayers prayed in faith are not answered, it is because God will never give you something that isn’t good for you. Trust Him to make the best decision every time and always pray that His will be done.

Father, teach me to pray in faith, and to accept that You always know what’s best for me. Amen