Year: 2006

Recently I have been thinking about how we pray in terms of what we ask for. I often pray God give me something. Then I realized that most of the things I ask for I already have and I just need to learn how to use them. Like faith, grace, provision, etc. etc.

I recently realized that the bible often doesn’t say God has but more often says He is. for example:

I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward (Gen 15:1)

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation (Ex 15:2)

I am your portion and your inheritance (Num 18:20)

My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; (2 Sam 22:3)

He is the tower of salvation (2 Sam 22:51)

He is their strength (Ps 37:39)

He is my defense; (Ps 62:2)

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; (Ps 62:6)

He is my refuge and my fortress (Ps 91:2)

He is a shield (Prov 2:7)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower (Prov 18:10)

The LORD God is my strength (Hab 3:19)

God is love (1 John 4:8)

The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6)

So when we pray for God to give us one of these things; we need to realize is He is, not He has, all of those things and what we actually need is to Draw near to God (James 4:8).

What do you think?

I was just having a conversation about how we pray. I have always prayed for God’s provision and that God would increase my faith. As a matter of fact just this morning I was praying that God would put into me everything I need to accomplish what He has called me to do. Then in mid-sentance I stopped.

Ps 139:16 NLT says “You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

and Eccl 3:15 NKJV says ” That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.”

and 2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV says “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness , through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

So let’s unpack this: if God laid out everyday before a single day passed, and if God called me, and if He has given me everything I need for life, then where is the breakdown.

I mean if that is all true, and it is, then why is there lack in my life. It either has to be me; or something I have authority over. I am either walking in doubt and unbelief, or I have something in me personally that is holding back the provision or it is something that I have authority over. (Matt 28:18, Luke 9:1, 10:19)

Gods promises are not automatic they must be appropriated and sometimes contended for (Dan 10:12-13, Gen 25:20). So my prayer now is “God please bring out those things that You have put into me, show me what I am doing or not doing that is holding back the provision in my life or show me what I need to take authority over and contend with to release what You have already set aside for me.

It’s a small difference that makes a huge difference. What do you think?

Posted by Gary on April 7, 2006

As I used to think about faith I would look at Hebrews 11:1, now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen, and think, ok, faith is substance, faith is evidence, but what is it? What does it look like?

Then I read Mark 11:24, Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

As I was considering this whole concept it hit me. Faith is. Both, FAITH is, and faith IS. When you are standing in faith for something and someone says “I thought you were believing for healing, why are you still sick?” you can say “my faith is the evidence.”

I know it’s a hard concept and one you have to get personal revelation on. I have been thinking about this for years. Maybe I’m just thick headed.

Here is another way it works:
You can put money in the offering or you can sow a seed.
You can say something nice to someone or you can speak life into their soul.
You can speak words into the air or you can pray the prayer of faith.

The difference is when we add our Faith.

Darlene Zschech once said “the faith journey is not cross your fingers and hope for the best. It is real, the fullness of Christ locked into us that we can use.” You see faith is not the shallow “hope” something good will happen. Faith is being fully convinced and persuaded of a thing. No doubt.

James 1:6-7
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

You must settle in your heart that the very DNA of God is generosity and faithfulness and that he wants you to have good things. Romans 8:32

Mark 11:23
I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.

In my mind it all comes back to two things. II Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 12:2 I’ll let you look those up and think about those two things for awhile.

Thank you again for your consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.