05/06/2026
Prayer and living make up a two-lane road. When we pray, we know enough to listen for God to answer, but that conversation isn’t the two-lane road we will speak of today... instead we will consider the impact our life is having on our faith, and prayers. How we pray influences how we live, and how we live has an incredible effect on how we pray. Can you have a terrible fight with someone, and then pray a sweet prayer over them? What we do in life each day also sets the tone for our relationship with the Lord.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
I initially thought that this passage referred to a mental exercise (think) we should employ to increase us in faith, but after reading it closer I found it to be much more than that... it speaks of our physical actions (practice) as well. Thinking without practicing is a hollow exercise. We aren’t meant to simply think of a life of faith, but to practice one. Our thinking is meant to reinforce how we live, but this is a two-lane street isn’t it? It is hard to behave badly and then pray as if nothing has happened, and it is hard to pray humbly and with love for someone... then immediately act with hatred towards them. Our thoughts reinforce our actions, and vice versa, our actions affect our thoughts.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”
Acts 2:42-44 ESV
When I was a boy I would occasionally get into fights with my younger brother, and when they would get too rowdy, or I would hurt him, my mother would intercede and make me apologize to him and give him a hug. Those apologies and hugs were the hardest things in the world to give because they demanded that I do something physically that was contrary to how I was feeling mentally. This is how our lives, and thoughts of faith, interact with one another. But you know what? When I apologized and hugged him I could feel the tension and anger subsiding. What I did physically, even when I did it reluctantly, had an impact on me mentally and emotionally... and shortly thereafter we found ourselves playing together once more.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
So, with God’s Word being spiritually massaged within us, and our actions giving evidence to it, we can bolster ourselves in faith; one strengthens the other. The way we walk in our faith is tied directly to the very thoughts we are having as we go. Good thoughts producing good actions. Our prayers being met with His answer just as our thoughts of righteousness are met by our Christ-like actions.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Are we maintaining a spiritually beneficial balance between the two types of traffic which flow from us? Are our thoughts redoubling our faith, and driving us to exhibit good actions for all to see?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the times in my life when you lead me to an apology I don’t want to make, and for those times when I contemplate and lean on you in the face of a world that desires me to behave contrary to your Word. Holy Father, I see how my prayers, and my actions go hand in hand with one another, and I pray that you will strengthen me physically to withstand sin, even as you speak kindness and reassurance into my soul. Help me Gracious Father to be more like Nathaniel and demonstrate to the world those things that would lead you to say of me what Jesus said of him. Let there be no guile in me Father, no deceit, only the image and character of my Savior. I can do nothing without you Lord, so be with me every minute of every day, encouraging me in both thought and deed, and I will praise you all my days saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God Almighty.”
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”
John 1:47 KJV
Amen!
Rich Forbes