Praying with Confidence
When you go to the grocery store are you confident that you will come home with everything on your list? There is not a doubt in your mind you will return home with every item you need. The food is all packaged, ready to go, and you have the money in your pocket. It would be foolish to wonder about such a thing. But that is exactly what Christians are doing when they pray for needs in their life. They go to God wondering if they will actually obtain what they are asking for. It’s foolish to go to God that way. Why? Because the Bible says in 2 Peter 1:3 that God has “GIVEN to us ALL THINGS pertaining to LIFE and godliness.” Notice that it is past tense. God has already made available to us everything we need in life. But when a Christian comes to God without the confidence to believe that God delights in giving them their petitions they disqualify their faith. They are actually moving into doubt and unbelief and do not even realize it.
Many Christians bow their knees with a mentality that God is against them. They have a “me vs. God” attitude and they wrestle with God to cooperate with their situation. Have we soon forgotten Romans 8:31-32, “…if God be for us then who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not with Him also freely give us EVERYTHING ELSE?” God isn’t against you. He isn’t withholding the solution to your problem; you are. How can that be? When you approach God without the confidence to know that He desires to give you everything, you break God’s ability to bless you. Hebrews 11:6 says, “…he that comes to God MUST believe that He is AND that He is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek Him.” Notice that you are REQUIRED to come to God and confess His desire to reward you.
If someone buys you a birthday cake and a present then they are probably willing to sing happy birthday to you as well! If God sacrificed His Son and caused Jesus to suffer in our place then He is willing to heal our bodies, provide a good job, and give us peace of mind. Every need is already met. Every petition is already answered. Every problem is already solved but God is waiting for you to approach Him like you believe that. Your Father sits on the Throne of the entire Universe! Your greatest Advocate owns everything! Talk about connections!
There are two main reasons why people lack confidence with God. First, they might have unconfessed sin in their life. Secondly, they might not be aware of what the Word of God says about how to approach Him. Get right with Him and go to Him with faith that is educated. Our prayer lives should be efficient and effective. Let God’s Word take the guessing game out of prayer.
Pastor Tim
Family Church Jamestown is a non-denominational church located in Chautauqua County in Jamestown between Lakewood and Busti, NY. The senior pastor of Family Church is Pastor Tim Stahlman a native to the Jamestown, NY area.
