All tagged mature

We know from reading scripture that prayer and faith are inseparable companions; one can't thrive without the other. Faith proceeds prayer and makes it effective, while prayer increases faith as we ask God to increase us in it. We have faith in the promise that God answers prayer, and receive that promise through the very prayers we faithfully pray. Jesus prayed that Peter's faith be increased, and we should ask God to increase ours as well. The stronger and more steadfast our faith becomes, the more likely we are to remain in God’s will, and in this way our prayers will be asked as the should be… in the name of Jesus… in God’s will.

This morning our devotional message deals with fervent prayer, and the strength it takes to pray in this way. Children pray with an amazing degree of faithfulness, innocence, and trust which seems to flow so easily from them, but adults strain and groan in their prayer closets as they bring the challenges of their lives before the Lord, and wrestle with fear and trembling over their faith and salvation.

How mature are we as Christians? Have we moved from that stage in our faith where the focus has shifted from learning who Jesus is, and how to live the life of Christ, to that of actually knowing Him and abiding in Him? Are we fully engaged and surrounded by the will of God and in close relationship with His Son Jesus, or are we still battling within ourselves to wrest control from the sinful man that resides there?