Prayer and Faith

I was talking with my sister recently regarding the signs of the times in which we live and our desire for the Lord to come to take us home soon. We both, however, admit that we are concerned about lost loved ones. Maybe some of you struggle with this same issue. I was able to remind her of a verse that has given me great comfort in recent years as I look forward to His coming.

John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

I believe God means what He says in scripture. Everyone that is foreknown by God to be part of His family will become part of His family. No one is going to miss out on salvation because of my prayers for His soon return. I have to accept the fact that I cannot choose salvation for those I love; they must choose for themselves. I do pray for their hearts to be softened and for them to recognize their need to repent and accept Jesus as Savior. I know I am praying in God’s will since this desire reflects His desire.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

His word assures us that asking according to His will is a guarantee of answered prayer.

1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

I can’t help but question as to the parameters of that promise as it applies to someone else’s individual freedom of choice. My heart wants to grab on to that promise at face value, but I can’t help but struggle with doubt as to whether that is right from time to time.

Jesus declared that faith in prayer is the key.

Matthew 21:21-22 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

This truth was exampled in His ministry.

Matthew 9:27-29 “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.”

Matthew 9:20-22 “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

Matthew 15:22-28 “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

My prayer for this new year is to grow in faith and in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be a powerful prayer warrior and to bring glory to my God and Savior as I wait for His soon return.

James 5:16 “….The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Isaiah 43:7 “…every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”