When You Pray, You Must Believe!
MC Midweek Feb. 1, 2023
by Pastor Cliff Myers
The Bible tells us that we are not just to pray, but rather to pray believing. If we are specifically told to believe when we pray, then it must be possible to pray and not believe. Not all prayer brings results. Only believing prayer moves God and receives from Him.
Many years ago while studying for the ministry at Mount Vernon Nazarene College, I began memorizing James 1 in the KJV. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:6-7 (KJV)
All of the world’s religions exhort men to pray, but it is only the Bible that requires men to believe what they pray. Other religious systems are content with the motions of prayer, but the true Living God requires that we maintain a relationship with Him and that we trust Him.
In Mark 11:24 the Bible states, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (NIV) The Bible does not teach us to rely on prayer alone; it teaches us to rely on God. The faith must be in the heart before the prayer comes out of the mouth.
Romans 10:8-10 shares this wonderful truth, “But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (NIV)
Friend, when you pray, BELIEVE! Bill Gaither’s song says it so well, “I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” Perhaps you need to pray that as a prayer before you pray.
