And If You Believe
Matthew 21:22 Christian Standard Bible
22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
If you believe. Do we believe? Do we truly believe what God’s word says concerning prayer. Often people treat prayer as a last resort. If we truly believe what God’s word says concerning prayer and the authority we have been given in Christ, instead of treating prayer as a last resort, it will become a priority.
Now we know that we must pray according to the will of God (1 John 5:14-15). Jesus hasn’t given us a blank check book here. Some people believe they have the authority to speak whatever they desire into existence in the name of Jesus. That if they continue to speak it repeatedly, it will manifest. But the question is are we little gods? Has God made us godlike at salvation? The answer is no. We have been adopted as children of the Most High and we have been given kingdom authority through Jesus Christ, but we are still bondservants of the Living God and we are called to pray all things according to His will.
But when we come across difficult and hard things, should we bring them before God in prayer? The answer is yes. Every time we bring something before God in prayer, we place the battle in His hands. When prayer becomes more important than breathing in our lives is when we will begin to see victory in every area of our lives because we will bring all things before the Lord in prayer.
Regardless of what we face, God is greater. He will always be greater. We may look at the state of our world and our nation and think “do my prayers really matter”. Well did Daniel’s prayers matter? Did Abraham’s prayer matter? Did Moses prayers matter? The answer to all of these is yes. Too many times we look at the people in the bible as Christian superheroes that we should put on a pedestal instead of recognizing what God can do through ordinary people when they are consecrated to Him in prayer.
The promise here stands “And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”. Often the promises of God are conditional based on our obedience to His word. He places His word before us and if we respond in faith, the promises of God are poured out. The outward manifestation of faith is obedience, but the outward manifestation of unbelief is rebellion. May we truly hold fast to the promises of God. May we truly believe and understand what the word of God says. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Prayer
Father help me in my unbelief. Help me to truly believe as you have called me in your word. Help me to move beyond doubt and unbelief and grow each day in faith and trusting you at your word. Help me to understand the authority I have through Jesus. Help me to bring every battle before your throne. Father may prayer become more important in my life than breathing and may all that is done in my life be accomplished for your glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen!