Prayer and Faith

The commentary for these verses below caught my attention when I was reading though the book of Mark. I know from my own experience and from talking with various guys that when prayer is lacking in their lives then so is faith or a strong faith in God.

It seems that people with a strong prayer life have a strong faith in God and a confidence in God that many don’t know. Prayer may not come easily to you but it is something that can be developed if you will take the time to develop a relationship with God.

God wants us to seek Him and prayer is the way to create and build a relationship with Him. See the verses and commentary below on prayer.

If you need some help find a mentor.

**************

Faith is a gift from God

Growing in faith is a constant process

·         Commentary - Mark 9:24 - The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls belief or faith (Hebrews 11:1,6) is not something we can obtain without help. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8,9). No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.  

Without faith it is impossible to please God

·         Scripture - Hebrews 11:6 – ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’

All who seek God will find Him

·         Commentary – Hebrews 11:6 - Believing that God exists is only the beginning; even the demons believe that much (James 2:19, 20). God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of his existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life. Those who seek God will find that they are rewarded with his intimate presence.…God assures us that all who honestly seek him – who act in faith on the knowledge of God that they possess – will be rewarded.

Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives

Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God

·         Commentary - Mark 9:29 – The disciples would often face difficult situations that could be resolved only through prayer.  Prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our lives. Effective prayer needs both an attitude – complete dependence – and an action – asking. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite him to fill us with faith and power. There is no substitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that seem impossible.

Pattern for Prayer – Lord’s Prayer

·         Scripture – Matthew 6:9-13 - This, then, is how you should pray:

⁹ “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]’

Commentary – Matthew 6:9 – This is often called the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus gave it to the disciples. It can be a pattern for our prayers. We should praise God, pray for His work in the world, pray for our daily needs and pray for help in our daily struggles.

Source of references: From the Tyndale NIV ‘Life Application Bible’