Prayer and Faith
How many times have your put a key into your door without even thinking, yet confident that it will open the door? As we go throughout each day we put our faith in many things. Take a moment and think of the many things we take for granted – things that we experience daily such as touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. We put our faith in those who constructed our homes, built our roads, bridges and giant overpasses. We have faith in those who prepare or produce our food. Each time we take a bite, we are putting our trust or confidence that we will be nourished and not harmed. Faith is defined as having complete confidence or trust in someone or something.
I am reminded of a gospel song by Samuel T. Scott and Robert L. Sande I remember singing in my church as a child. Although the lyrics are simple, the truth of the message is profound.
Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door.
Words are so easily spoken. Prayer without faith is like a boat without oars.
Have faith when you speak to the Master. That’s all he asks you for.
Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door.
As I ponder the depth of the meaning of these words I am reminded of the vital relationship of prayer and faith. Early in my spiritual journey I knew that prayer was something that Christians do. My prayer life, however, was more of a “laundry list” of things I wanted or thought I needed. My focus was the “list.”
As the lyrics of the song declare, prayer is “the key to heaven.” Through prayer I began my relationship with God. It is how I communicate with God. But in the past my prayers were just “words easily spoken.” I lacked the faith that would open the door to peace because I did not intimately know the One to whom I was praying. My “prayer without faith” was truly “like a boat without oars.” In the ocean of my life I was going nowhere – even drifting out into the sea of life, lost as I focused on my cares and concerns. All that God wanted was for me to trust Him. Just as the song says, to “have faith when you speak to the Master,” His message to me was, “Have faith. Just believe me!”
So, how did I grow in my faith? I have discovered that the more I know about the character of God, the stronger my faith grows. As I learn about who He is, I see that everything that God is – is good. His Word reveals His character. As we read in Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT) there is nothing that will satisfy our soul more than knowing God. “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
The Biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 (NET Bible) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” We find this truth in 2 Timothy 2:13(NLT) “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.”
The more I know about who God is, the easier it becomes to “see that which is invisible.” And my mustard seed sized faith has flourished into a strong tree of faith with branches extending into the lives of many – not because of who I am but because of who He is. Now as I approach God in prayer, I focus on who He is, and as I bring my cares and concerns to Him I put my faith in the One who is faithful. Coming before God in prayer, placing faith in Him alone opens the door to a place of trust, a place of hope, a place of rest, a place of joy, a place of victory and a place of peace. I think it must be a lot like heaven.
“Because of Christ and our faith in him we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12(NLT)
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Our prayer life is so central to our faith and growing in Jesus- thanks for this reminder and the encouraging verses.
Thank you so much for the encouraging words, Carol. I really needed to read them today.