‘Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you
receive them, and you will have them.’ Mark 11:24
One of the dangers in praying is not expecting God to
answer. The Bible says, ‘Without faith no one can please God. We must
believe…God is real and…he rewards everyone who searches for him’ (Hebrews 11:6
CEV). The only currency God trades in is faith, and ‘faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God’ (Romans 10:17 KJV). As you immerse yourself in
Scripture, faith takes root and begins to grow. And faith is what makes your
prayers effective. But what if your faith lines up with God’s Word and the
answer is delayed? Keep praying and believing! ‘Do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done
the will of God, you will receive what he has promised’ (Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
2011 Edition). When a rural farming community was hit by severe drought, the
local church called a prayer meeting. Almost everybody in town showed up
(interesting how trouble has a way of getting our attention). As the pastor
stood before a packed church he noticed an eleven-year-old girl beaming with
excitement in the front row. Lying on the pew beside her was a bright red
umbrella poised and ready for use. The beauty and innocence of the sight made
him smile, as he compared the child’s faith with that of all the others in the
church. Looking at the congregation, he announced: ‘The rest of us came to pray
for rain, but she came expecting God to answer!’ So don’t just pray - believe! 
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