Prayers : Part 28

There is only one reason to pray: that is to get answers. We’ve been studying and drawing out through the Scriptures that faith makes prayer work, not the other way around. Once we were born again and came to Christ, God gave all of us the same measure of faith. It is up to us to increase, utilize, and build up that faith. Prayer is the greatest way to build up your faith.

The prayer of faith is a lifestyle, a way of living. In talking about the prayer of faith, Jesus lets us know what the prayer of faith is in Mark 11:24. Living with Christ is not an accessory. The prayer is the transaction, not the manifestation. The prayer of faith works the same way as going to the store without enough money. The payment/currency is the faith for what you want to receive. You won’t go to the store until you have enough to make your purchase – the prayer of faith works the same way. If you don’t believe that you have received your desire at the moment you’ve prayed, then the request is too big for you. If you have prayed and believed you have received, how do you know you have enough faith for your prayer? You'll know because you won't need physical evidence to convince yourself that you have it.

John 20:24-29 -- The account of “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas requested physical evidence and three conditions before he would believe Jesus had risen. This illustration is to highlight that you must line your life up with your faith. You will never get anywhere trusting the five physical senses the enemy has been granted legal right (from us) to manipulate, deceive, and twist. As long as you want to live in the natural (trusting your senses) you’re going to be defeated. You’re on God’s territory when walking by faith, and are guaranteed success. In Christ, you will become immune to negative reports.

Pastor revisits the question from the congregation about turning your back on old friends whose lives contradict a “Christian” lifestyle. We don’t judge or condemn people outside the Body of Christ. Christ has no hang-ups, so as you develop in Christ, you won’t have hang-ups either. Jesus did not say our mission is to convert people or “make” disciples. Jesus called 12 and it was their decision to follow Him. But not all who were called decided to follow Jesus (Luke 9:57-62). If you are the Body of Christ, you’re not supposed to cut people off and turn your back on them, but that does not mean they won’t turn their back on you. Just by living for Christ and becoming a new creation, their conscious may be convicted and they’ll turn from you.
















































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