Read: Mark 11:20-25, James 1:2-8
"God is the great objective of faith; for faith rests its whole weight on His Word. Faith is not an aimless act of the soul, but a looking to God and a resting upon His promises...Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word."
The necessity of prayer, E.M. Bounds
What is faith? Many people today would claim faith it is merely belief in something more, something supernatural in this world. This type of definition could be applied to any religion or belief that you like. Christian faith however, a central cornerstone of our salvation in Christ, is about more than just general belief in something supernatural. Christian faith is belief in a person, belief in the person of Jesus Christ and what He has done. Christian faith is specific and focused on Christ. Faith is not aimless belief. Faith is, as E.M. Bounds describes, "a looking to God and a resting upon His promises".
This is the sort of faith we must have when we pray. Faith is vitally linked with prayer many times throughout the Bible. Consider today's reading from Mark 11. Jesus clearly links the faith of the person praying to God with the possible results of the prayer. Notice the way he phrases it however: "Have faith in God". Our faith is in God and His promises and God promises that when we pray to Him with faith He will answer.
James echoes a similar thought: if we are lacking wisdom in trial we should ask God with faith, free from doubt, to provide wisdom to us. James reminds us that God gives generously to all without finding fault. He reminds us that the basis of our faith is trust in God and trust in His character. This makes James' pointed comment about the man who doubts in verses 7 and 8 make more sense. The person who doubts is not trusting in God and who He is.
Do you pray with faith? Do you actually believe that God is who He says He is? Do you believe God promises to answer your prayers? Do you believe that God hears your prayers and promises that He will respond? Do you trust that God is able to do more abundantly than all you ask or think? If we lack faith our response needs to be to cry out in prayer, "Lord, help me overcome my unbelief!" like the man in Mark 9:24 and remember that we can trust God to answer.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Confess to God any lack of faith that you have had in His ability or desire to answer your prayers. Pray that the Holy Spirit would grow and deepen your faith in Him and help you to pray with confidence and expectancy.
¥ Pray for GRUNT and Girl Chat as they meet this afternoon. Pray that the boys and girls would be encouraged in their faith and would grow in their passion and love for Him.
My Additional Prayer Points.
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Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. If faith is in the person of Jesus and not just in a universal idea what are some things that you can do to deepen and grow your faith in Him?
2. How can you help and support each other to put these things into practice?
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