“Therefore I say unto you, ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24
Dear Ones:
Perhaps one of the greatest “proofs” of a life truly lived by faith, in obedience to Christ, is answerer prayer. It is also one of the most difficult proofs to be realized in the life of the believer, servant, and soldier of Christ. Why? There are basically three factors that stand in opposition to believing, effective prayer. The first is one’s own unbelief. This stems from a lack, and grasp, of the truth, concerning the character and nature of God, and also, the clear understanding of His will in His word. We know that true prayer begins with God, for God does not honor and bless that which is of the flesh, and one’s reliance upon the “resources” and means of men. How then is effective prayer born? We find the answer in the word, “desire,” in Mark 11:24. The desire that comes from God, and becomes evident in the heart and mind, is that given BY God the Spirit. Part of the ministry of the Spirit is the witness of the Spirit to the heart of the believer, not only that he or she is a child of God, but that the direction that one is taking is of God. This is confirmed by the “peace that passes understanding” that the Spirit gives. So, for the seeking of God, of Christ, having been drawn by the Spirit to Christ, comes the desire of the heart to pray, and to pray in an effective manner. Only prayer that has its origin in God the Spirit, will have its realization by the Spirit, to the glory of God.
The second factor that stands in opposition to believing prayer is the world, or this world-system, that is basically “man-centered,” and “man-oriented.” We see the contrast to such a system in the Lord’s prayer, when Jesus prays: “Our Father, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; in earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9,10) The rightly oriented mind is that one which is aligned with the values, and priorities of God. The honoring of God, and consequent worship of Him, is primary. The believer is called to do all to the glory of God, and this includes prayer. It is in the pursuit of honoring God by seeking first His kingdom in prayer, believing God for the outworking of His will on this earth, that one overcomes the world to effectively pray.
Thirdly, Satan opposes believing prayer. In Zechariah, we find Joshua the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, completely immobilized. Being the high priest, that chosen “intercessor” between the people and God, he is called to be effective in his intercession, literally and actually, bringing down the blessing of God upon the people. But in this scene, he has been neutralized by sin, with “…Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” (3:2) That which is encouraging in this picture is the revelation of God’s dealings with Satan, and with Joshua, to restore this high priest to the effective ministry of intercession. God first rebukes Satan, reminding him that Joshua, as well as Jerusalem and Israel, is “…a brand plucked out of the fire.” That which is of supreme importance here is to recognize that God is sovereign, All-mighty, all powerful, and rules in the affairs of men. God rebukes Satan, claiming Joshua as His own, then addresses those around Joshua, to remove the filthy garments from him, that which represents his sin. God removes the entire basis of accusation by Satan by cleansing Joshua from all sin, signified by a change of garments. It is then that the charge, or calling, of God comes with stark clarity to the ears of Joshua: “If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt keep My courts.” (v.7)
The prophet, Elijah, was effective in prayer because he prayed fervently, in faith, according to the will of God.
Dear Father, Make us effective, victorious intercessors for Jesus’ sake. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad