We know from Hebrews 11 that faith is the assurance—the substance, that which has actual existence—of things hoped for, the conviction, or proof, of things not seen.
In Mark 11, Jesus told us to 'believe we receive, when we pray.'
But what do these things mean, really?
Let's put it in context. Do you know how happy, how grateful and thankful you feel when something you've prayed about comes to pass...especially when it was really important?
The sense of relief, joy and gratitude is wonderful.
Then it hit me...believing you receive when you pray is all about experiencing the joy, the thankfulness, the assurance that your prayer is heard and answered at the moment you pray.
How is that possible? 1 John 5 gives us a clue:
'This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
'And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.' [1 John 5:14.15]
And there's always this passage...
'For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.' [2 Corinthians 1:20]
Or this...
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." [John 14:13,14]
So it would seem we have clear guidelines as to what kind of prayers God will answer. If they come from His Word, He will answer.
And if we know that we have the request we ask up front, we should feel just as happy when we pray as when we see it actually come to pass.
That's what faith is. Believing God's Word before we see it in the natural. Feeling as joyful about the answer when we pray as when we actually see it come to pass.
Think about this. Jesus said that answered prayer results in joy...
"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." [John 16:24]
Everyone has joy when answered prayer manifests in the physical realm. But faith sees the answer already done at the point of prayer...that's faith!
Know that your Father loves you and that He is watching over His word to perform it, for you. Believe you receive, when your pray...and rejoice!
