08/27/2022
When we are in need of something miraculous to occur, or we want something that is so far above us that we believe it is just too great, or much, to ask for, do we temper our prayers, and ask God for what we believe is actually doable? Do we ask God for a lesser thing because we think it is possible for Him, and that He might be capable of providing it? Perhaps we believe we are unworthy, or that our true desire is presumptuous in nature, and so we weigh our prayer requests against who we think He is, and how much we believe He loves us, but this is only an indication of our lesser faith, and not how God wants us to come to Him, or ask of Him.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 ESV
So often we are tempted to sell short the capabilities and promises of God based on our own weaknesses, and lack of faith. We think His power is limited in some way, but over and over again we are told in scripture that He can do All things… why is it then that we can not believe this? Why do our bodily weaknesses taint how we perceive the power of God, the creator of all things? Does this describe our own prayers, and our reluctance to ask for what we really want?
“The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:26-27 ESV
I can think of two particular times, like in Genesis with Abram, and again in Jeremiah, when as we read it said that nothing is too hard, or impossible for the Lord, that it comes couched as a question. This is not by accident, or simply a way of writing or speaking, no, they are being asked to make a decision, to believe it is true. This is like a question on a grade school test… this is where God wanted them, and now wants us, to fill in the blank with our faith. We are not meant to ask Him for the impossible, but to ask for what we believe with all our heart that He can, and will, do.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.””
Genesis 18:14 ESV
However, most of the time we are told boldly that God can do all things. Over and over again this is reiterated as a statement, so that there will be no question in our mind when the need arises to ask, or lean, on the promise that we have been given.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 ESV
Time and time again we are reminded that nothing is beyond the ability of God to perform, and that Like Jesus we need only ask…
“For nothing will be impossible with God.””
Luke 1:37 ESV
But what about the doubt that Satan whispers in our ear? What about his telling us that we are not worthy of the miracle we need, that our faith is not strong enough for our prayer to be answered , or that God loved Abraham, but that He doesn’t love us like that? Well these are all lies.
If we believe then we are worthy…
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7 ESV
If we have any faith at all then it is enough…
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6 ESV
And, God loves all of us…
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
So why do we insist on scaling back our prayers? Why do we let the lies of Satan cast a veil of doubt over God’s promise to answer us? Why do we feel that the name of Jesus could fall short of the promise He made?
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 ESV
Today let’s banish Satan and his minions, and all those around us who are a hindrance, from our prayer closet. Let’s pray as God wills us to pray, asking with a firm belief in the name of Jesus… just as He has told us to do. In this way we can rest assured in the promise, and wait on God without an inkling of doubt.
“But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.””
Matthew 16:23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers in their fullness. Thank you for calling us worthy in Christ, loving us enough to have sent Him to redeem us, and for giving us the mighty power of faith. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who can do all things, and to whom nothing is impossible. Praised be your name for the promise of answered prayer, and for confirming your glory in making miracles occur, and answering all our needs… great and small. Help us with our unbelief, and give us the confidence we need to ask you for everything we desire, knowing that you are more than capable to provide for us. Merciful are you in our rescue and provision. Loving are you in consoling us in our grief, and soothing our pain. Sufficient is your grace that covers us in its abundance, and glorious are you who is true, and perfect in your every promise. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, forgive us our sin, and conquer death in us as we pray in the Holy name of Jesus. Father, call us your children, and find us to be worthy, and pleasurable to you as we stand before your throne. In these ways we pray now that you will hear our eternal prayers, call us worthy in our final judgement, and let us dwell in eternity with you… praising and worshipping you forevermore.
Rich Forbes