Word of Encouragement (5/15/2020)

Let us continue to reflect on great faith (which is great because it looks to our great God) and great prayer. E.M. Bounds beautifully expresses the relationship between the two in this way:

“…Prayer and faith are Siamese twins. One heart animates them both. Faith is always praying. Prayer is always believing. Faith must have a tongue by which it can speak. Prayer is the tongue of faith. Faith must receive. Prayer is the hand of faith stretched out to receive. Prayer must rise and soar. Faith must give prayer the wings to fly and soar. Prayer must have an audience with God. Faith opens the door, and access and audience are given. Prayer asks. Faith lays its hand on the thing asked for.”

Isn’t this so true? How can a man/woman of faith not pray and how can we pray without faith? And how can a great faith, which sees the greatness of God, not plead for great things in prayer in the desire to see the majesty of God’s glory displayed for all to see?

How is your prayer life? What are you praying for? What does your prayer say about your faith? What does your prayer say about God? E.M. Bounds says, “…the promises of God to prayer have been pared down by us to our little faith, and have been brought down to the low level of our narrow notions about God's ability, liberality and resources.” If that is the case, there is nothing more urgent for us than to grow in our faith so that we can see more of God’s greatness and have our prayers enlarged accordingly. No matter how mature one may be, he doesn’t have to worry that he has reached the limit of his faith.

“The utmost possibilities of prayer have rarely been realized. The promises of God are so great to those who truly pray, when He puts Himself so fully into the hands of the praying ones, that it almost staggers our faith and causes us to hesitate with astonishment.”

Let us not hesitate. Let us cast ourselves at the throne of God’s abundant grace and plead earnestly, not just for our small needs but for His great glory to be shown in and through us and throughout the whole world! If the eternal Son of God made the costly sacrifice of Himself to grant us access to the throne of God, what great riches must be available to us! Is it any wonder that He promised, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7)?

May the Lord increase your faith and enlarge your prayers! Have a blessed day!

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