Welcome to part II of our message “When You Pray Believe.” Our scriptural text is Mark 11:24,“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Seems odd that we would need that reminder, right? But let us look at some facts: we are acutely aware of the fact that not every member of the body of Christ are able to get a prayer through. Why is that? Last week we shared from Hebrews 11:6, “…without faith it is impossible to please God…” And also Hebrews 4:4, “…the word they heard did not prosper them, not being mixed with faith…”

The Word of God is complete; it is not compartmentalized into various segments. God warned the prophet Ezekiel about the elders coming with idols in their hearts, yet seeking a Word from the Prophet (Ezek. 14: 1-3). And the parable of Jesus on the soil types of four hearts. All of these conditions affect our ability to trust God in our hearts. You see, to believe translates to trust, and trust is comprised of faith molecules. All of this takes place in the hidden man of the heart, the inner man, and our re-born spirits is where God searches for trust/faith. This can lead to our lips and our hearts releasing a different message, faith on our lips, and fear/doubt in our spirits will quench God’s ability to confirm the words we just prayed, because that condition produces double-mindedness (see James 1:8). Double-mindedness means we are wavering back and forth; there is no steadfastness, no cementing our will to His Word.

Do you remember in the Book of Genesis, how it says the serpent was more subtle/cunning, and that he used that power to add doubt to the mixture? We have failed to believe that we also walk in deceptions that dilute our faith.
What are some of those faith diluters? “God is not doing that anymore.” Now the Word says: “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Mal. 3:6). Another faith diluter: “Well you know God answers three ways. He says yes, no, or wait awhile.” However the Word says in I John 5:14, “This is the assurance that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Where do we find His will, it is His Word. As we peruse the gospels we hear Jesus who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). If you are desirous of a more personal directive, remember James 1:5 or I John 5:15. “And if we know that He hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Ps. 89:34 states: “My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips.” Those are powerful words that has more potential than a nuclear bomb. It is the transforming power of faith that changes the intangible into the tangible. When we pray it produces a finished image of the change we are requesting. We are to hold on to that image until the full manifestation is received in the physical realm.

WHEN YOU PRAY, BELIEVE….

We invite you to listen to this message delivered by Dr. Dowdy on January 21, 2018, highlighting God’s word from Mark 11:24.

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