Faith in Action

There are many scriptures about asking in prayer, in faith, believing.

Sometimes the "in faith," and "believing" parts are a little difficult. Stepping out in faith--putting it into action--is not an easy thing for any of us. It may be easier for us to believe, if we immediately THANK God for answering our prayer. And every time we think of what we've prayed for, instead of asking God again, Thank him. This is faith instead of whining.

We who are parents can understand how much more thanks would mean than repeating the request many times as though God didn't hear us the first time. I know about the parables of bombarding the baker with requests for bread, and the judge for recompense, but I know that the thanking is a part of faith, and it works.

Last year I fell during a rainstorm on an outdoor staircase in Mexico. I asked for and received the prayer of administration for healing. During the administration I thought about my part--having faith to be healed. I began thanking the Lord for the healing. Then I felt the pain leave my body, even 10 year old pain from a car wreck that had nothing to do with my falling down in the rain.

There are many other examples I could give about the thanking the Lord for his Answer and Will. I've found that an "attitude of gratitude" can make a big difference in our prayer lives.

The Lord wants to give us gifts--when we are ready to receieve them. My granddaughter, who is seven, is not physically or mentally ready for the gift of a car, nor am I prepared to receive the gift of a Leer Jet. Likewise, are we prepared to receive many of the gifts we ask for? Several months ago, as I was reading in Isaiah, the words, "Prepare us to receive thy gifts," came to me. We are not prepared. How many of us, if given a Leer jet, would know immediately how to use it? Would we have had the training? Would we have a licence? Would we have the fuel? Would we have a runway in our back yard? Would we have the finances to maintain it?

Spiritual gifts require a different sort of preparation which is even more important. If the Lord gave us the gift of healing, would we be able to hear Him as he tells us who to heal? Would we know and trust His Voice so well that we would drive to the inner city and find a certain junky and heal him because He told us to? Would we be able to NOT heal a sick, dying or wounded relative if that was His Will?

There are many gifts and many questions. There is much preparation, physically and spiritually, that we have to do in order to Hear the Lord and manage his gifts properly.