by Rex Rouis
The overriding issue in prayer is whether or not the prayer is spoken in faith. If you do not have faith then all the praying in the world won’t help you (unless perhaps you call upon the mercy of God).
The single active ingredient in prayer is faith. If faith is there, chances are real good that the prayer will be correct, or at least close enough. Its not the words necessarily but the release of faith that will bring the desired answer.
Whatever words you say, make sure you believe them, and you will have them. The Bible is real clear in that the words you say must not differ with what you are believing in your heart.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt (differ, disagree, ‘strife with oneself’) in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23
The words must be living, fresh, and from your heart, not from some prayer book. The Bible is based on a system of living words. God speaks living words to us. We receive them into our heart and through continued diligence in love and the Spirit we allow faith to grow. The harvest of these living words is faith, and once we have it, then we release it through living words. The living words coming out of our mouth is called Prayer.
What about, ‘If it be thy will?’
Jesus said the words, ‘If it be thy will’ during one of His prayers. Much has been made of this. Throughout the Gospels, whenever Jesus prayed He always exhibited a clear understanding of God’s will. There was never a hint of uncertainty in any one of them. He prays once for direction and puts an ‘if’ in it and suddenly all types of prayer are thus affected. He is not praying to change the world; He is praying to seek the will of God. When Jesus uttered this phrase, He was in the process of seeking the will of God concerning His imminent passion. This was huge and He needed to know for an absolute surety that this is what God wanted and that there was no way around it. This was hard and He needed to know solidly from God. Everything depended on it. One must have their heart solid on the will of God before their faith can be real. There is no ‘if’ in faith once it has become a reality in the heart.
Faith begins where the will of God is known.
If faith is based on the known will of God, how can a prayer prayed in faith have an ‘if’ in it? We must assume that Jesus was ‘in faith’ when He prayed this prayer. The ‘if’ had nothing to do with whether the prayer would get answered, but it had everything to do with Him being open to what the answer would be. The ‘if’ was what He was believing for and seeking God for. He was in faith seeking the ‘if’ of His future. Seeking is all the about the ‘if’ of the future. Faith all about knowing the reality of the will of God on a specific issue. Again, Jesus knew that God would give Him the answer; He just didn’t know what the answer was going to be. That is seeking.
And without faith it is impossible to please {Him,} for he who comes to God must believe that He is and {that} He is a rewarder of those who (diligently) seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11,13-14
When seeking the will of God you must believe that He exists, that He rewards diligent seeking, and that you will get an answer. When seeking the will of God, using the phrase, ‘if it be thy will,’ is appropriate. The phrase is otherwise never mentioned in prayer. If you need a mountain to move in your life, or you have a debilitating issue (like the woman with the issue of blood), inserting an ‘if’ in your prayer just won’t do. For all those situations, knowing the will of God from the word and from having previously sought His face is the only way. Faith begins where the will of God is known. Just throwing out the phrase ‘if it be thy will’ and taking whatever comes may sound good but it is not the faith exemplified in the Gospels. It is a false submission, a lazy submission. The only issue that Jesus looked at, and still looks at, is faith, and faith is based on a knowing in the heart, a reality heard from God. See the article – ‘If it be thy will’
There are three main categories of prayer:
- Seeking Prayer – Seeking God and finding His will – Knowing and believing that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. ‘If’s’ are appropriate in these prayers of seeking.
- Asking Prayer – Asking God in faith according to His will – Knowing and believing that He will answer.
- Declaring Prayer – Authoritative declaring of His will in faith – Knowing and believing that it will obey you. (One quick rule – this does not work on other people.)
We pray and seek God to find His will, and once we find it we pray and release His will (and its corresponding faith), into the world. Both ‘seeking prayer’ and ‘asking/declaring prayer’ are absolutely necessary to our walk of faith and obedience.
Comments
what a peaceful way to depart from this life. when i was a child i always thought that people would die in a peaceful nap no matter where they were. the Lord will always shine a light upon each and every one of us, and i know that even at the very end He still gives us a chance to repent and receive His truth. Its all up to us.
The loved one that i have been visiting at the hospital these past couple of days has fallen more ill. the doctors have said that today she will go off the machines. she would have been 80 years old next month. we are thankful to our Lord that she was blessed with so many years. she is surrounded by love from her family. i ask the Lord to give me strength and to be a good example of his servant to support this family in their time of grieving. what i find to be so unusual is that all of her wounds are healing by themselves. she had so many on her body and they seem to be disappearing on their own. if she is dying, how can this be possible? amen
recently i have been visiting a loved one in the hospital. she suffers a lot from physical pain. she is 80 years old and has been in pain & discomfort for quite some time due to her illnesses. she had resigned herself to the Lord a long time ago. her pain has always been hard on her. now more than ever, her body is starting to shut down but she is still very much alert. all she asks is that the pain and discomfort go away from her frail body. she prays aloud to the Lord to end this no matter what. why does she still suffer?
The simple answer – we just do not know. The whole question of evil, pain, and suffering is beyond us now. Oh, many feel like they have it all figured out, but they don’t. A huge part of theology deals with it but to no clear end. It is one of those things we will only fully understand in the next life.
I believe in the absolute need for faith, but this issue is beyond a simple cliche statement about the need for faith. Jesus of course knows why, and of Him it simply says, ‘He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, for God was with Him.’
We must just keep on doing good and healing, and we will find out later. God bless you and God bless her. Her eternity will be her reward and it will more than make up for it. Love her, and we love you. Rex
my days have been better since now i try to focus more on the Word of God and act accordingly. its not easy at times, but overall i think i am doing a good job. the peace and tranquility i see in others has always baffled me when i know they are going through trials. i feel that this peace comes from God but that He will not force us or make us have it within us. somehow i realize that we need to make an effort to acquire it because fear/anxiety/insecurities, etc., are so strong in this world. its a decision that has to be made by the individual to want to and to know how to get the peace from God. but work is involved in this. it cant just be handed to you and that’s it. one has to continue in the ways of the Lord. one has to desire the Word and live by it. i thought that as long as you were an overall good person God would grant you peace automatically when you asked for it. . i dont think that’s it. lately i have realized that it takes more than being a good person to others. complete devotion to the Lord and his teachings is the key. —–let me know what you think. i am still in the learning process.
A – Good for you. Believing is actually hard work but it is worth it. God’s blessing and peace are worth the effort. Keep on going on and don’t let anybody stop you or talk you out of it. God bless..
I have been told i have pbc and that i need to take meds the rest of my life. my faith has not diminished because of this. i know i am not the only one facing health issues. but i dont feel at peace with this. i dont feel like i should have this condition. i know God heals all but lately i had been praying for a revelation of what to do & cant seem to understand my life at this point. i have a son with special needs & i cant afford to get sick in order to take care of him. God knows this but why was i diagnosed with this when i prayed to Him & counted on this not to happen? I have enough on my plate as it is & i dont know if i am doing something wrong.
a.. 🙂 I am so glad you still have faith. Don’t give up you after realize that all of us are in a spiritual warefare. Don’t believe that report you rebuke it in Jesus name. God can heal you. Everyone of us will be tested on Faith.Speak scriptures on Healing even if you don’t feel like it. As you speak life into your body you will began to feel better.I speak healing into your body.God will restore your body and His Word says in Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. Psalm 118:17
I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord. John 10:10
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows. God bless you.
thank you yoli. fear has sometimes taken over my life because of this medical report. but i know deep in my heart, deep in my spirit that God did not choose for me to live in fear. The other night, i sincerely asked God to stretch out his hand and take away this evil fear that encompasses my spirit. The fear remained throughout the night. in the morning, my heart was pounding and i did not rest. but as i sat on my bed, i asked God “What happened? why did the fear remain in me all night?” If i remember correctly, He answered “I cant just take the fear away from you; you have to let it go and hand it over to me.” i dont understand. i wish God could just remove my fear because i cant seem to let go on my own. I know He does not interfere with free will. is this why i still have my fear even though i prayed that He remove it from me?
a… in your time with our Lord. Pray Father God please forgive me of all my sins. I ask you to come into my heart. I recieve you as my Lord and Savior. Father God I am overwhelm with fear. Your Word tells me…. For God hath not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 . It is crucial you speak scriptures over you and your family. Then, pray His precious blood over you and your family. Try to attend a Christian church get involve in church activities and bible study. As you walk with the Lord daily and speak scriptures. Your life will experience freedom from fear. Fear is a direct attack from satan. Just read aloud scripture and worship Jesus through a song of praise. God bless you and speak.
1. Scriptures – To Fear Not
2. Confession Change My Life
3. Scripture To Strenghten Your Faith
4 Walking in Victory
5 Confession – Healing
Just click on the right Scriptures.
To God Be the Glory
proverbs 3:5-6 got my attention yesterday evening. i said it out loud throughout the night and throughout the next day. but what if i have a spouse who believes in non-Christians ways? he is not a bad person, reads the bible but has other beliefs about God and the word. its complicated but he seems to believe more in the old testament scriptures. he does believe in Jesus. its more complicated than i can explain. i respect his beliefs and he respects mine. before he wouldn’t even look at a bible. long story short, would that affect my prayers to God? i don’t think so…but…we are not united as husband and wife as far as the Word is concerned. what then?
A – You might miss out on the prayer of agreement but your prayers are not hindered by his unbelief. Speak the Confession – ‘Change your Life’ (near bottom of the list on the right hand side) over him. Say it till you believe it. I have heard people who have prayed for someone’s walk with God seemingly forever with no visible results, then speak the word of God over them, and see results very soon. These are the prayers of Paul for the Churches. God bless
🙂 Ewy I pray the precious blood of Jesus over you and your baby boys. Jesus send your angels around Ewy and her home. Ewy, the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
For God has not given Ewy a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
No weapon that is formed against Ewy shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against her in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
Though Ewy walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive Ewy: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of her mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save Ewy. Psalm 138:7
Psalm 91:1-16 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who spend your nights in the shadow of the Almighty, who say to the LORD, “My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!” – He will rescue you from the trap of the hunter, and from the plague of disease. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His truth is a shield and a protection.
You will not fear the terrors of night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the sickness that roams in the dark, or even the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it won’t come near you. Only keep your eyes open, and you will see how the wicked are punished. For you have made the LORD, the Most High, who is my refuge, your dwelling place. No disaster will happen to you, no calamity will come near your house; for He will order His angels to care for you and guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their hands, so that you won’t trip on a stone. You will tread down lions and snakes, young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.
“Because Ewy loves Me, I will rescue her; because she knows My Name, I will protect her. She will call upon Me, and I will answer her. I will be with her when she is in trouble. I will rescue Ewy and bring her honor. I will satisfy her with long life and show Ewy My salvation.”
In Jesus Name Amen!
I agree in Jesus Name.
Please pray for me urgently that the evil and wicked people disturbing my life will bow to God my creator. I need prayer for fruit of the womb for twin baby boys. Please send me scriptures to read for fruit of the womb, the evils ones are disturbing my conception.
god move – pray god redeems me from the curse of sickness delivers me from psychiatry, and god restores my body back to health what psychiatry and overdoses did to my physical body. pray he heals the hernia, bubble inside me, gallbladder, and digestive system and weakness. pray people get to know me and want to.
Please pray for me. This is most difficult period in my life. I need Gods presence and blessing in my life now. I am facing a lot of difficulties now. No money, no home, no job, no wife, nobody to help me, nothing is moving good to me. It seems that God has abandoned me. I have no hope again. I have the ambition to help my parents and less privileged people after my university study. But everything has turn upside down. I wanted to do a 3 days dry fasting because of my situation, i want God to hear my cry for help but somebody came to me in the dream a day to start the fasting. The person told me don’t do that fasting that i should remember that i had ulcer, that i will cause myself more harm. I know that that dream is not from God. Satan don’t want me to have my breakthrough. If doing that fasting will cost me my life i must do it by the power of holy spirit. I remember that verse in the bible that God told satan that man shall not live by the bread alone after satan has tempted him. I have suffered, Pastor please pray for me let me have my breakthrough in this 2013. Amen
Praise God, for the prayers of the believer, praying and believing God for healing, deliverance for others.E
🙂 Angie 🙂 I have good news God is a God of second, third, fourth and gives more chances to anyone who comes to HIM. Don’t feel lonely, depressed or embarrassed those feelings do not come from our Heavenly Father. They come from the devil who wants to destroy you. But thank God He is right here to deliver you from those unhealthy feelings. Call on Jesus he hears you. Pray this prayer Angie with me: Father God I come to you in Jesus name. Lord come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior. Jesus cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Jesus forgive me for all my sins. I surrender my life to you Lord in Jesus name Amen.Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness for your precious blood and for your powerful word that is sharper than a two-aged sword. Today I declare and decree by the blood of Jesus, Angie overcomes all the works of the devil. Revelation 12:11 Angie can do all things through Christ who strengthens her. Philippians 4:13 There is therefore now no condemnation to Angie who is in Christ Jesus, who walks not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made Angie free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 Thank you Jesus for all You are going to do in Angie’s life. Angie Jesus loves you and we do to. 🙂
PLEASE pray for my lonliness. I cry everyday i am seeking God for a Godly mate i have been divorced 5 years no real relationship only men who use me and i am so hurt, so confused and so embarrassed please help me get over this depression most days i dont want to get out of bed but i have to work so i have to leave the house. I am wounded and i feel hopless .. please help me..
Ronda I pray you will be successful in your new work. As you spend time in God’s Word He will guide you. I pray God will bless you with wisdom and Insight. Scriptures say I confess that I walk in God’s favor today in all my business dealings and with people. God’s favor rests upon me. [Ps 5:12] I have God’s favor and blessing on me.
God favors me today. I am a success today. I have God’s special favor upon me today. He makes His face to shine upon me today. He is gracious to me today. [Luke 2:52, Num 6:25-26] I expect something to happen to me today. God delights in my success and prosperity. [Ps 35:28].In Jesus name Amen.
I am requesting prayer. I have a wonderful in that by God’s grace it has met my needs for the past 6 years. I have reached a place where I know in my heart and spirit that it is time to move on. It is my prayer that I start 2013 doing a new work, a work I love and can use all of my God given talents. I desire to have a great manager and work with great people, place filled with excellence. Please pray with me. Thanks!
Um, I am new here so I just clicked on the “Prayer” tab for help. Could everyone who reads this PLEASE pray for my Grandmother? She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I believe. She also has diabetes and a fractured foot.
Brooke – We will pray for you and your grandmother. We are believing for the peace and power of God over both of you. We are believing that she is free from pain and discomfort, and that the healing power of God flows through her, from the top of her head to the soles of her feet (and fractured foot). The Bible says that we are all appointed once to die, but we do not have to go in pain, sickness, and discomfort.
Amen Dawn thank you Jesus for touching and restoring Dawn and her family into your presence. We invite you Jesus be Lord over The McNamare’s Family. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. Proverbs 2:7-9 God bless you!
To whom It may concern:
I want to give you thanks and praise, I was at a tender point in my life where suicide was looking very inviting and I felt there was no other way out. I sent a request to this site with only a drop of faith if it even was that much and with the mecry, love and good graces from God., thru this site someone out there reached out to me thru this kindle and gently touched my heart and wiped my tears. I no longer desire to die, I am without a job, I no longer desire to divorce my husband, I have valid medical ailments, my youngest son does not cut himself anymore, my eldest is learning to love his wife we are terribly in debt and I turned it all over to God, because thru God all things are possible. I am slowly making a turn around, but without God in my life I am nothing. I will speak nothing but joy and goodness. I thank God everyday of my life for everything. May I always have the privilege and ability to show my gratitude, for we are truly blessed. So to whom ever was the blessed person forgive me for not knowing your name, may God bless you and yours and thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you thru Jesus Christ amen. Happy holidays fondly Dawn McNaMare and family. Thank you for this blessed site amen. :)))
Please pray for my job, my daughter, my boss, and my health. I cannot sleep much anymore even with sleeping pills. My body is running down and is getting to the point of not fuctioning because of lack of sleep and also medical conditions, stress, anxiety, and such is taking over. I just can’t continue like this.
Please pray “Chuck” finds Jesus and that the Lord gives him strength to not committ suicide. And please pray for my friend. I think she is suicidal,too [there’s a big warning sign that I noticed]. She doesn’t know Jesus…she’s under the bondage of being a wiccan.
PLS MAN OF GOD PRAY FOR FAMILY THERE IS SPIRIT OF DEATH .
every thing here is true and effective.I believe prayers is real healing, if every one is unite and not seeing others fault in there religion. and be one in Christ. if every one believe and me deny himself and follow him.will have eternal life.me too need a prayers for having nervous breakdown.because it attacks every where you are.I believe god will heal me.in the name of Jesus.
Please pray for me and my family for healing and restoration .
Thank’s
God Bless You
Patricia, I speak blessings and restoration and healing over you and your family. I’m believing for God’s favor and mercy to follow you, His grace and mighty power to follow you, and his love to overshadow you, in Jesus Name.
the lord is my shepherd, inflation and depression has no right over me, because my finance is 100 x ahead of every economic crisis in the word.
pray for me that i would see God open up doors in my life that no man can shut. He to open up avenues to get more clients and approvals for the sales i get
Pray for my family to see more of Gods Favor and abundance
Please pray for healing for my niece Rhea who is 18months old and has been diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes.