Prayer and Faith

Evangelicals in the United States appear to be losing the culture wars.  Several activist groups seem to have greater influence with the public than does the church.  I hear pastors lament that schools and sports teams no longer respect Sundays or Wednesdays (days churches meet) as a time for churches; they draw children and families away from church activities.  We don't have the clout that we used to.

In Matthew 17, the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast the demon out of a boy.  They used to be able to do it (Matthew 10:8).  Jesus' diagnosis was unbelief and His remedy was prayer (and fasting according to some manuscripts).  Effective ministry depends on prayer and faith.  These two are dynamically related.

The more we believe, the more we pray.  Faith connects us to the reality of the spiritual realm (Hebrews 11:1).  When the God who answers prayer is real to us, we go to Him more readily, more frequently, and more expectantly.  On the other hand, if God seems distant to us or if He is more like an idea rather than a living person to us, we are more likely to try Him as a last resort or only as part of a ritual.  As we see that every good thing comes from Him and as our contentment derives from Him, we will go to Him more often and spend more time in His presence.  Henry Blackaby has said that as he saw things happen in response to prayer, his prayer times increased.

The more we pray, the more we believe.  This truth is what Jesus was telling the disciples.  Since faith comes by hearing God speak (Romans 10:17), disciples must seek His presence, getting close enough to hear Him.  Often, spending time in the written Word helps us hear Him, especially if we read with hungry hearts.  However, reading the Word only as a religious requirement may not help.  Reading with a prayerful attitude is the key.  The enemy is defeated only by prayer because prayer increases our faith.

I am not saying that our faith increases as we see more answers to our prayer.  I am saying that spending time in God's presence increases our faith because God becomes more real to us.

Let's pray today just to spend time with our Father.  Let Him tune our hearts to sing His praise.  Let His glory fill our minds and hearts.  May we be filled with wonder and awe as we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  May our faith increase.