How to Pray in Faith

In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.  Romans 8:26 (CEV)

Accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.  Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.  Ephesians 6:17-18 (TEV)

We always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives.  Colossians 1:9 (CEV)

I believe the strength of a Christian is determined by his or her faith.  As I have followed Jesus I have discovered that my faith is sometimes very strong but at other times not so much.  Looking back on my life I see a direct correlation between my prayer life and my walk with God and how my faith each day is impacted by my conversations with God. 

I can categorize my prayers in 3 basic areas.   The prayers I pray because I'm supposed to.  These would be praying at mealtimes, praying for people, praying for events such as Sunday services, praying for God's will to be done, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of praise, etc.   The second area would be praying for personal things such as forgiveness, guidance, my family situations, how to best use my time, etc.   My faith can grow as a result of these prayers, especially when I can see God working in them but the prayers themselves are based more on what's happening around me than on the Spirit's leading.

There is a third area of praying that in itself requires faith.  Not faith that God is going to answer them but faith in the fact that God is the one praying them.  Remember, for the Christian prayer is very much a two person conversation.  My part in prayer can have a lot to do with what I would like God to do but it also has a lot to do with what I am going to do.  What I would like God to do is a request while what I am going to do is a commitment or a submission.   But what am I committing to?  What I am I submitting to?   God's part of the prayer!  I'm convinced that the part that God prays is the most important part of the conversation because that is where faith begins.

So here's the secret to living in faith.  When I know what God is asking of me and I am completely submitted to Him and committed to joining Him in what He is asking of me, my prayers impact my life to the point that others see my faith in my obedience.   If they were to ask me why I'm doing what I'm doing I can say, "God is directing me to do this."   Most of these "faith" prayers are simple, such as forgiving someone or committing to help someone.    Some are major adjustments, such as if you follow me in this you will have to sell your home and uproot your family. 

My prayer for us today is that we will pray that God will show us everything he wants us to do and that we may have all the wisdom and understanding that His Spirit gives.  Remember wisdom isn't just knowing what God wants - its doing what God wants with His Spirit leading the way!