The Mystery of Prayer

I tell you, you can pray for anything, 

and if you believe that you’ve received it,

 it will be yours.  

Mark 11:24 NLT

We can ask for whatever we want and we will receive?!?  How can this be? - It is the amazing mystery of prayer. 

God tells us to ask and keep on asking and we will receive whatever we ask for in his name - that is, according to his perfect will and plan.  When we ask for good things for ourselves and others, God is delighted to hear our prayers and delighted to answer them.  We don't know how he will do it or when - he has all time and eternity at his disposal - but, we can be assured, because he has told us so, that he is working in every situation to bring our pray to fulfillment.

He asks us to pray without doubt. Doubt arises when we think too much, when we try to figure things out. We think, "How will he do it and when? It seems so impossible that it could ever happen."  When we doubt, we are focusing on ourselves.  When we believe, we are focusing on the one of whom it is said "nothing is impossible." (Luke 1:37)  He just asks us to present our requests believing and leaving all the how? and when? to him. 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thes. 5:17).   Like breathing, prayer can be a constant and automatic part of our lives.  Prayer can be our first response to every event and circumstance. We can participate in God's work by praying for all people, people we don't even know. Prayer expands us. It helps us to get out of ourselves and pay attention to the needs of those around us.  Prayer opens us to the presence of God.

I know, Lord, that you have heard all of my prayers.  Prayers for myself, my loved ones and friends and those I have never met, for health and happiness, for strength and salvation and you will answer them all in your time and in your way.  Thank you.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power

 and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 (NLT)

So we have not stopped praying for you

 since we first heard about you.

Col 1:9 (NLT)