02/18/2023
We frequently say that all things are possible, but do we really believe it? If we hear someone praying an outlandish ask of God do we believe that He is able, or willing, to give it to them? Well, all things ARE possible, but quite often we throttle our prayers by only praying for those things that we know are possible in the physical world. I have been guilty of this before; how about you? Let’s think back on our prayers today and count the times we have asked the Lord to give us something we thought was impossible in the world. Can we think of even one time when we truly stretched our faith in prayer?
“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.””
Mark 9:23 ESV
God gives us impossible things all the time. He gives us things we thought were beyond reason, or asking for, and that we were reluctant to pray of Him. Has something ever happened in your life that you didn’t pray for, but it occurred, and was absolutely miraculous? Did you believe it was a God thing, or just the result of an incredible and unlikely series of events? Did you even consider thanking Him for it?
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:8 ESV
I knew a man who was a missionary to the USSR during the days of the Cold War. He smuggled bibles into the country, established churches (over 2000 there during his ministry), and was imprisoned there more than once for his efforts. We prayed for his safety, and for him to be released from jail, and our prayers were answered. However, one day while in Moscow he stepped into an intersection without seeing an oncoming truck. In an instant he was teleported to the other side of the street. Later he talked about the amazing feeling he experienced in that moment, and how he thanked God for saving his life…just as David was saved and thanked God. Listen…
“For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”
Psalm 56:13 ESV
Miracles happen every day, and the Lord is never unable to do even the most unimaginable things. He saved Daniel from the lion, Jonah from the whale, raised Lazarus from the dead, allowed Peter to walk on water, saved a missionary from being run over, and me from certain drowning, so what then might He do in each of our lives if we believe, and are bold enemies ugh to ask?
“He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.””
Daniel 6:27 ESV
Today you might have a request that you want to ask of God but have been reluctant to pray. Maybe you think it is beyond reason, are afraid that your faith is not strong enough, it is too trivial, or that your request is simply impossible. Whatever the reason that is holding you back and keeping you from asking, pray it!! God is waiting to hear your voice in prayer. Ask it of Him! Then Ask! And then Ask again! When we pray within His will, then Abba, our Father, is not only able to give us our most outlandish desires, but desires to make our wildest dreams come true. Is our lack of trust, or fear of not getting what we want of Him, keeping us from our knees, and keeping us from experiencing the impossible? Be bold, be trusting, have faith, and pray the impossible prayers because our Heavenly Father can do all things! Unbind yourself, and pray without limitation…
“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
John 11:38-44 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for our answered prayers, and for giving us those things that you hear our hearts longing silently for. Thank you for doing things we feel are impossible, and saving us in many miraculous ways. Thank you for walking in our dreams, and revealing hope to us through them. Help us Father to not only believe, but to believe enough to ask, and to expect. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is mighty in word, and deed. Great and Loving are you who gives to us because it is your pleasure to do so abundantly. The desires, hopes, and dreams that you make real to us glorify you, and become our testimony to all who see and hear. Praised be your name as we ask, ask expectantly within your will, and receive. Merciful are you in the miracles you perform in our lives, and mighty are you in saving us from the world’s calamity and death. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus and free us by our faith in Him from all sin and death. This has been the greatest of our answered prayers, and now we pray without ceasing for Christ’s return which will be the greatest of all, and your most glorious gift of love… eternity in your presence.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes