Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 6—The Prayer Of Faith
Faith Claims the Blessing Before It Is Realized and Felt—I have frequently seen that the children of the Lord neglect prayer, especially secret prayer, altogether too much; that many do not exercise that faith which it is their privilege and duty to exercise, often waiting for that feeling which faith alone can bring. Feeling is not faith; the two are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise, but joyful feeling and the blessing are God’s to give. The grace of God comes to the soul through the channel of living faith, and that faith it is in our power to exercise. {Pr 58.4}
True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the Word of God, and those only who obey that Word can claim its glorious promises. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22.—(Early Writings, 72, 73.) {Pr 59.1}
Faith is not a feeling, rather a belief that something will happen before it happens. Faith believes in the promises of God and that whatsoever you ask in the name of Christ Jesus will be done. The Word of God says that if you love Him, to keep His commandments. There is reciprocity when you are obedient and God hearing and answering your prayers. If it were not, He would not say it. It is at those times when your faith is low and you feel least like praying when you need prayer the most. Hold on to your living faith and enjoy the blessings that are to come.
Dear Father, God almighty,
We come to Your throne of grace in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for the love and care You have for all Your children. We are privileged and honored to have a loving and caring Father in heaven, an advocate that redeems us and speaks on our behalf, and a spirit that dwells within us to lead and guide us. We thank You for providing us with prayer that enables us to communicate directly with You in heaven. We are sorry that we have disobeyed Your commandments and in one way or another have sinned against You. We repent of our sins and pray for Your help to overcome the evils and temptations of this world. We pray for Your forgiveness and that You wash us clean in the blood of Christ. We thank You for Your long-suffering, for believing in us and not giving up on us. You have provided us with the power of faith in that if we ask anything in Your name it will be done. To believe in heavenly things before they happen or are seen. We confess there are times when we do not feel like praying and do not realize that faith in prayer is not a feeling. Thank You for giving us the strength in these times to come to You in faith, believing You will hear and answer our prayers. To be able to claim the blessings, in faith, before they happen. We pray to receive Your character that we can do what is right, favorable, and well pleasing in Your sight. We thank You for all the promises in Your Word that strengthen our faith and help our unbelief. Help us to obey Your Word that we can claim its glorious promises. We serve a mighty God. Praise be in Your name. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
