Approaching God in Prayer

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We often hear teaching on how we should come to God in faith, but there are things one should not do when coming to him in prayer. For instance, do not come to God expecting him to do any good thing unless you come with childlike faith in his promises. The Word of God is clear: “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” (James 1:6).

Beloved, it is impossible for you to please God without faith! Abraham was a man who developed a faith that didn’t stagger at what God promised him: “And not being weak in faith … he did not waver at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:19-21).

Do not come to God with any ifs. Any promise of God is a revelation of his will. Take, for instance, God’s promise to “keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). You would not ask God if it is his will to keep you from falling when he has already promised to do it. Indeed, God gives us great and precious promises so that we will learn to trust him with boldness: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may … find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Do not come to God until you are ready to believe for exactly what you ask for. “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). If you ask God for bread, he will not substitute a stone. If you ask him for a fish, he won’t surprise you with a snake (see Matthew 7:9-10).

Believe God for your physical condition, your financial situation, your family, your spiritual growth. Appropriate his promises — they’re all yours! Amen!