The Significance of Faith: God Answers All Prayers

Just as in the Garden of Eden, when God provided food and other comforts for Adam and Eve, God provides the things we need to survive on earth. We are not all expected to be farmers who grow our own food, or tailors who make our own clothes. Those who have the talent to cultivate food, or manufacture clothing and other supplies bring their wares to the market where we can receive provisions by others who are talented in their spiritually given gift.

God wants us to pray to Him for all things, especially for healing. He provides for our earthly needs in many ways. We are to look first to God for answers, then see what He provides in the way of help for the things we need on earth. The Lord provides fruit trees, vegetable gardens, scientists who design vehicles for transportation, mechanics who repair those vehicles, teachers who teach our children to read and write, musicians who provide music for worship and enjoyment; the list is endless.

Not all answers come in the form of a miracle. Often, the answer arrives by way of a simple solution. God also uses messengers to help fulfill the answer to our prayer. See Malachi 3:1, “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

You may have heard the illustrative story of Clifford. I have heard this story told by many pastors. The name may have been changed to protect the innocent - told again here for your enjoyment…

In a state along the Mississippi river, storms can cause the river to overflow its banks, flooding entire communities. On one such occasion, Clifford happened to be home. Most of the people in the community fled to safety by leaving their homes, opting to move out of the storm’s path. Clifford waited a while to determine what he should do. After watching the water level steadily rise, Clifford decided to get in his car to leave. The water level was too high and the car would not function. With no other option, Clifford went back into his house to pray that God would save him. Shortly, after Clifford’s prayer, a neighbor came by Clifford’s home, driving a farm tractor that had its engine higher than the floodwater. The neighbor called out to Clifford, “Come on, climb aboard”. Clifford called back, “No. Thank you. I have faith that God will save me. God will make the waters recede.” Therefore, the farmer drove away. The floodwaters continued to rise until it overflowed the porch and the first floor of the house. Clifford made his way to the second floor and looked out the window to assess the situation. He prayed again for God to save him.

Moments later another neighbor came by, rowing his metal fishing boat. There was room in the boat for Clifford, and, the neighbor invited Clifford to climb into the boat. Clifford replied, “No. Thank you. I have faith that God will save me.” Therefore, the neighbor rowed away. The water continued to rise, filling the second story, forcing Clifford to climb upon the roof. Once upon the roof, again, Clifford began to pray. A short while later, a helicopter came and hovered above Clifford’s house. The helicopter pilot dropped a ladder within Clifford’s reach and yelled to Clifford, “Climb aboard. We can help you. “No. Thank you, Clifford replied. I have faith that God will save me.” Therefore, away the helicopter flew. The floodwater continued to rise well above the roofline, sweeping Clifford away. Eventually, Clifford drowned, and Clifford, being a good man, went to heaven. As soon as he found an opportunity, Clifford approached God and asked, “God, why didn’t you save me?” God answered, “I sent you a tractor; I sent you a boat; and I sent you a helicopter. You refused all of the gifts I sent to save you.”

God Heals Through People

The Bible has many stories of people who were healed simply because they had faith that if they ask for healing they would be healed. Sometimes, God works through people. He gives us the ability to be self-sufficient on earth. He gives us professionals, such as, ministers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, farmers, and so on, to help us carry on with our daily lives.

Everyone has his or her own interpretation of scriptures. Some shun modern medicine, believing that Jesus Christ alone is their healer. Believers in Jesus Christ know that the ultimate healer is Jesus Christ. However, scripture reads that Christ also has the authority to anoint servants to perform healing in His name. Read Acts 4:30, “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” God gives us doctors who have wisdom and are proficient in healing us when we are sick.

God gives each of us specific talents and gifts and He wants us to use them for the benefit of others on earth. He gives doctors the ability to analyze ailments and devise treatments for our illnesses. If we get sick, God wants us to seek medical attention from a competent doctor. He wants us to have faith in the doctor to whom He gives the talent to heal. By having faith in the doctor, we show that we have faith in God who provides the person to heal us.

Show Faith Through Prayer

Prayer is the act of communicating with God. Through prayer, we let God know about our wants, needs and desires. We use prayer to worship God and thank Him for the blessings in our lives.

The King James version of Mark 11:24 reads: “Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Faith is believing without a doubt, that God provides for our needs. When we have faith, we live our lives as if we are already blessed with the answer to our prayer. We begin to look around us and see what God has placed in front of us as the answer. Read Hebrews 11:1, “Faith… being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see.”

Some time ago, I asked a friend, “How do we know when God has answered our prayer?” My friend answered, “You know it is God’s answer, because He just gives it to you!”

My friend went on to say that when God answers your prayer, it is as if the answer fell from the sky like a miracle. God answers your prayer exactly the way you need it. You will not have to make any decision but to accept what God has placed in front of you. If, by accepting the thing that you have just received causes a conflict in any other part of your life, then it is something else, and whatever it is, it is not the answer from God.

We must be wise in listening to God and recognizing what it is that He wants us to see and receive. Prayer is our connection to God. Faith is the act of believing with all of our heart, soul and mind that our prayer is answered. It is up to us to see the answer and receive the answer, once given to us.

Are there times when you have received a message or a gift that was the perfect solution and answer to your prayer?