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.
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