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There are many excuses, seasons, and reasons that steal our devotion to prayer— the saddest of all being when we don’t really believe in the power of prayer. We don’t think that prayer makes any difference. We don’t believe that things might have different outcomes due to faithful and earnest prayer…therefore we don’t ask or pray. God calls this “faithlessness” because faith and prayer go hand in hand. To my regret and own detriment, I’ve had times of faithlessness in the face of my concerns and circumstances.
Yet, in all circumstances our Lord promises that when you and I ask according to His will, “whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). He instructed His disciples in prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). And above all, Jesus believed in the power of prayer (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). Therefore prayer is vital to our growing faith.
Prayer is the bow, the promise is the arrow: faith is the hand which draws the bow, and sends the arrow with the heart’s message to heaven. The bow without the arrow is of no use; and the arrow without the bow is of little worth; and both, without the strength of the hand, to no purpose.
Lack of prayer exposes how we don’t have faith in God’s goodness. We doubt His desire and ability to provide for us “exceedingly abundantly” (Ephesians 3:20) and to “supply all our need” (Philippians 4:19). We don’t believe His promises of love and provision. Yet the truth is that God wants to grant our requests, to give us the desires of our hearts, and to bless us. It is His nature.
Do you believe God answers prayer? Or do you fall into the category of those Jesus addressed as, “you of little faith?” Every Christian’s faith can stand to grow even stronger, so determine to pray with expectation, and to defy reasons and seasons of unbelief. Do as David announced, “I will look up” (Psalm 5:3). In other words, he expected God to act and to answer, and David was the lookout for God’s faithfulness. Look out for God’s answers, goodness, and blessings. Take the time to record what you see God do as you pray. And, reflect back on times of God’s faithfulness even when you weren’t on the lookout. You will see your faith in His faithfulness soar!
And if all else fails, pray, “Lord…help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)! So, if you struggle with belief in prayer and God’s goodness, draw the bow, shoot the arrow, and in prayer send your heart’s message upward to heaven!
Question: Have you ever shot a desperate arrow prayer to God with the slimmest glimmer of faith, and He answered abundantly? Share your story here to encourage other women in their seasons of unbelief.
Are you struggling with unbelief? List your concern by completing this statement with one word, so others can pray for you — “Lord…help my unbelief concerning _______.”
Read Help My Unbelief on Elizabeth & Jim George.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
How did men and women in the Bible accomplish great things for God? There wasn’t any secret formula or bestselling book on success for them. In fact, they were ordinary people like you and me. What made them effective was their willingness to obey God—one decision at a time.
