Are you in the habit of answering your own prayers? As strange as that question might seem, many Christians only offer prayers they think will be answered favorably. Others, motivated by something other than genuine faith, are so careful with their requests, that their prayers fail to recognize the power of God.

In no uncertain terms, the Holy Spirit tells us through Paul, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6).

Faithful prayer believes that God can do what men cannot (cf. Matt. 19:26). Mountain moving prayer takes absolute faith (cf. Matt. 17:20-21). Effective, fervent and earnest prayer can even change the weather (cf. Jas. 5:16-18). Are these the hallmarks of your prayer life?

Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, illustrated this type of prayer life perfectly. Under great distress, three times He asked God to “take this cup away from [Him]” (Mark 14:32-32). Despite knowing all along that what He was requesting challenged what had to come to pass (cf. Mark 8:31, et al), He took His anxiety to His Father in prayer and was content with God’s answer. He didn’t go to God with what He could easily do for Himself. He prayed for that which only God could do and left the answer solely in God’s hands. The words “nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” could not express this more clearly.

The challenge for us in this is to extend our faith when we pray. Don’t only pray for the possible, but pray for the impossible. You pray … and let God answer!

By Jonathan L. Perz
From Expository Files 18.3; February 2011

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