Saturday June 22, 2013

Read Matthew 21:18-23. Ephesians 3:20-21

 

This passage in Matthew’s Gospel may seem like a strange passage to turn to after studying Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians throughout this week. But it was Paul who wrote Ephesians 3:20-21. He knew what God could and would do in response to his prayers. Paul prayed with confidence that the creator of the universe would listen and answer his prayers. Paul prayed expectantly that things would happen because he prayed.

 

One of the reasons we see little or no answer to our prayers is that we pray with no or little expectation. We often pray half heartedly, already convinced that God will not or cannot hear and answer our prayers. We often tend to pray with an edge of disbelief. In my own prayers, I often catch myself having negative thoughts such as, ‘God won’t do that’ or ‘God’s not interested in this stuff.’ Such a heart of prayer is destructive.

 

Jesus encourages us to pray with full and confident belief. He used the fig tree to teach His immediate disciples and us to pray expectantly. We know that when Jesus went to pick the fruit from the fig tree that it was not the season for figs to be ripe. Check out Mark 11:13 and you’ll see how true this is.  When Jesus sees that there is no fruit on the tree He curses it and it withers immediately. The disciples are understandably awestruck. Jesus then teaches that if they or we pray with belief then God can and will do mighty things through our prayers. Jesus teaches that we should pray expectantly and confidently.

 

When we pray with faith we believe that God is both willing and able to answer our prayers. Sometimes we may doubt that He is willing. At other times we may doubt that He is able to answer our prayers. We must believe  both in our hearts before our faith is effective.

 

Tomorrow the people of the Lord will again gather in His presence. This  gathering necessitates prayer. When you are praying tomorrow or listening to someone else pray, will you give the confident and believing ‘Amen’ or will you harbour doubt and disbelief? Be assured of this. God wants you to be praying. God wants to hear your prayers and to answer. He is willing and able to do more than you could ever ask or imagine.

 

Step out in faith tomorrow and pray with a believing and faithful heart.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

V Ask the Lord to work powerfully among your congregation tomorrow as you gather together. Pray that He would heal, reconcile, lift up, admonish and teach as He desires so that His people would grow in love and compassion.

V Pray that non believers would be at your service and that they would be granted repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through the grace of God. Pray that there would be much rejoicing and praise as people turn to God through Christ.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Why do we doubt God’s willingness and ability to answer our prayers?

2. How can we grow in confidence in God’s ability and willingness to answer our prayers?