Faith that Doesn't Doubt

Do we pray with a faith that doesn't doubt?

Jesus taught that faith is a requirement for receiving whatever we ask for in prayer. It was a teaching for His disciples in Matthew: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." [Matthew 21:21-22]

"If you have faith and do not doubt." Not doubting is as much a condition for this remarkable promise as believing. James underscores the same principle, saying "he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord...." [James 1:6-7] Jesus’ teaching was for His disciples, then and today-- not casual followers, but those willing to lay down their nets [Matthew 4:20]. When we live as His committed  disciples, we can have whatever we ask in prayer--if we meet the conditions of the prayer promises and the overall truths of Scripture. The condition here is to believe, without doubt--no second-guessing, no "plan B," no doubting that God is Who He says He is, willing and able to fulfill His promises. 

And no doubting that we can live the disciple’s life that meets the conditions--not in our strength, but in His. 

A prayer for today — Lord, help us believe without doubting so that we can be all You desire us to be in our life with You, for we ask in Your precious name, amen. 

Praying Out Loud

Is it necessary to pray out loud?

Of course it isn’t necessary; the Lord knows our thoughts [Psalm 139:2]. But until we are comfortable praying with others, we will miss an incredible blessing in our lives -- and those we love will miss the joy of hearing our prayers for them. 

Praying aloud can be intimidating for people who were not raised to do it from childhood. I still remember the first time I was put on the spot. It was at the beginning of a study course on prayer, and the leader asked us to break into small groups to pray. It came my turn, and I couldn't do it. Silence. 

Deafening silence from me. 

Fortunately, someone understood and jumped in with his prayer. I was left embarrassed and uncomfortable, feeling totally out of place. I wouldn't have come back, if I hadn't wanted to learn to pray so badly. I just hadn't planned to learn to pray out loud. But I finally did. 

We were six weeks into the course before I said even a brief prayer that someone else could hear.

Toward the end of the course, I heard someone pray for me by name for the first time in my life, and I was deeply touched. I began to realize how important it can be for others to hear our prayers -- not because we’re praying for their benefit or understanding, not because they’re impressed by the words we use, but because our prayers reveal how deeply we care. 

Pray with me now — Lord, help us lose our self-consciousness, that we may learn what a joy it can be to pray with others. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

10 Minutes

If you are not now having a consistent daily quiet time, begin with just ten minutes, and use your time for a prayer of surrender:

• Tell the Lord how much you love Him, and how you desire to know and love Him even more. [Matt. 22:37]
• Surrender your life to Him. [Romans 12:1]
• Ask Him to bring any unconfessed sin to mind, and agree with Him that it is sin, tell Him you’re sorry, and ask for His strength not to repeat it. [Matt. 6:9]
• Thank Him for His forgiveness and for loving you.
• Ask Him to hear your prayers throughout the day.

This could be the most important ten minutes you’ll ever spend. God will honor it in ways you cannot imagine.