Believe Jesus When You Pray

Believe Jesus When You Pray

We can have all our doctrines right and be experts in the Scriptures like the Pharisees, but it will be of no use unless we apply it to our lives by faith.

This was the reason why those Israelites whom God delivered out of Egypt could not enter their promised land: "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).

For the same reason, God cannot answer our prayers unless we pray in faith: "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:6-7).

Can you believe?

Two blind men came to Jesus and said to Him, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" (Matthew 9:27).

Why did they phrase their petition for healing in this way? According to tradition, being blind was a punishment and curse for something terrible they or their forefathers must have done. So the men actually were saying to Jesus, "You know that we are not worthy of getting anything from You. If You would do this for us, it is Your choice and mercy."

And the Lord answered them, "According to your faith let it be to you" (Matthew 9:29).

With this Jesus was saying, "The question is not whether I am willing to show mercy—I am always willing—but can you believe?" They could, and they immediately received their sight.

Pastor Patrick C. Elmore