Prayer, Faith and Action

Is there an area of your life where you know you deserve more than you are currently getting? Have you been laid off, going through divorce or financial difficulties? I know for me it is always hard to understand why we have to go through these things. We have all heard the saying that "everything happens for a reason." We as Christians have to believe this. Romans 8:28 teaches us that all things work together for good. If we are going to rise above these negative things in our lives, we must truly believe this and stand on that promise.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:2 to set our minds on things above. Instead of seeing these things in our lives and reacting, we must through prayer, faith, and actions rise above these things and move toward the good God has for us.

Prayer Faith Actions...

If you are a Christian and there is an area of your life that is suffering, I can almost assure you one of these things is off. We know as Christians that life is meant to be abundant (John 10:10) and we are to thrive in all areas of our life. If we are going to do this our prayers, faith, and actions all have to be in tune and working together. If one of these components is missing, we will not receive all of the good things God has in store for us.

Prayer

How do you pray? Are you reading his word everyday and speaking out loud his scripture? Hebrews 4:12 tells us God's word is alive and well. It is sharper than a double edged sword. When we speak and pray from his scripture, we are coming in to agreement with God, and his power can be released to answer our prayers.

God knows each thought have. You can talk to him just as you would someone you met on the street. Your prayers do not have to be scripted. They do need to be specific, asking God according to the Bible and his will. If it is something good, then it will glorify God. If not, you probably should rethink what you are praying for.

Faith

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is being confident in what we pray for, and believing even when we can not see. I know this is very hard to do sometimes, especially when we are in a storm. James 1:2-4 tells us to take joy out of our trials because we can use them to draw closer to the Lord and, mature in our walk as Christians. We must believe that God is going to use that time in our life to bring us to better places. Believing this will change the way you respond in difficult times. Instead of reacting, you will be able to see beyond what is directly in front of you and, move passed that acting in faith.

Hard times are hard times. They are by no means easy. By choosing to not jump ship and act in faith, you will be able to ride the storm and not drown in it.

Actions

This is the part where most people stumble. 99% of the time we as Christians are praying and we have faith, but we don't get up and put those things in to action. Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever we do, to work at it with all of our hearts. That scripture does not say to pray with all of your heart, it says to work. To work means to take action. Don't get me wrong you need to pray first, but you ultimately must follow up with your actions.

For example, a lot of us pray for God to bless our finances, but how many of us actually tithe? If you are going to pray for God to bless your finances, you must have faith he is going to do so, and tithe. Tithing is the action. Of course we tithe for more reasons than that, but do you see where I am getting at?

^{James 2:14-17 says this...} What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Luke 11:9 says it best. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Do all of these things and God will bless every part of your life. You will receive blessings you could never have even asked for.