Our Pillar for Rejoicing
The Prayer of Faith – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Mark 11:24-25

Key Verse: James 5:15

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

As we continue our thoughts from yesterday’s devotional, we need to deal with unanswered requests. In other words, how do we “believe we receive,” when so often we believed but didn’t receive—in our evaluation? Let’s look at this dilemma.

First, I know you agree with me that sometimes we have asked for things that, if we had received them, would have been a disaster. So we must always trust our Heavenly Father’s judgments about our requests.

Secondly, the overall goal is to live a happy and joyful life. Since we face many problems, we must decide how we can deal with them and still be happy. This is the secret: Present your requests with thanksgiving, believing you will receive it. “But,” you say, “what if I don’t receive it?” Why worry about that during the waiting time? Why make yourself miserable with the “what ifs”? I would rather be rejoicing that I’m going to receive it and then if I don’t, I’ll trust God in the midst of that disappointment and move on.

Do you agree that a lot of our lives are spent waiting? We make requests and then wait—wondering whether God is going to answer the way we hope. Since so much of our waking moments are used up in waiting, let’s not spend that time in the miserable state of doubt! Let’s determine that we expect God to answer as we hope and praise Him for it. It is a better way to use the wait time!

Father, today I praise you for giving me exactly what I ask for! I believe I have received it. I’ll not worry about the final outcome! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.