Increasing Faith and Getting prayers answered

Dear Saints, I heard this from a pastor recently, and realized that I was already doing it. And I can honestly say, it works!

It's simple too!  But powerful. So, you have a problem, right? Maybe you're sick or someone you love is sick. Maybe you just lost your job or you're having financial troubles. Maybe, your kids, grands, or some of your loved ones are not yet saved. Maybe you need a place to live. You might need wisdom for a decision you have to make. Or you need help with a difficult relationship. We all have many struggles and problems in life.

 Many evils confront the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

But what many people forget or perhaps they don't quite grasp, is that if you are truly saved and following Jesus, He is your Father. And remember your Father is the Creator of all things, the Master of the Universe! He is ALL powerful and ALL knowing and everywhere. The Bible says NOTHING is impossible with Him. Some Christians many know this in their head, but they aren't really sure it is true deep in their souls. So, when they lift up their problems to the Lord and ask for His help, deep down, they aren't really sure He will answer. They hope He will, but hope isn't faith.

Yet, throughout Scripture, we see that God loves Faith and He rewards Faith every time. Faith and hope are two very different things. Faith is believing BEFORE you see. Hope is a simple emotion that things will work out. But Faith is the powerhouse.  It was because of Abraham's faith that he was made righteous in God's eyes. That's huge! A sinner made righteous in God's eyes simply by faith? (Sounds like the Gospel!)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  Romans 4"3

So, you have a problem. You need an answer. The Bible is full of the promises of God. There's a promise for just about every struggle you will face. Okay, so what do you do?

Find three or four Scriptures that speak to your problem.  

You're sick or someone you love is sick, find all the verses that talk about how God heals and how He wants us to have good health.

You don't have enough money to pay your bills, find all the Scriptures about how God provides for all your needs 

You have unsaved children, find all those passages that promise salvation to households and descendants

You get the picture.

Gather those Scriptures, write them down on note cards, and carry them with you everywhere you go. During your day, pull them out and read them out loud. Do it as often as you can. Ask the Lord to increase your faith. Keep reading them. What we are trying to do is get the promise from your head down into your heart, where faith originates. Faith does not happen in your mind. It happens in your spirit. When these promises get deep down into your spirit, you're going to start believing what they say. It won't be a head belief, because most likely circumstances around you won't change immediately. But it will be a "knowing" deep within you that God has already answered your prayer. You just know. And no matter what you see in this realm, you know it, and no one can talk you out of it. 

This is exactly what happened to me. When I first got saved, I was petrified for my children, who weren't saved. I would lose sleep at night, picturing them in hell for all eternity. But I was also reading the Bible every day and I would often come across various Scriptures that leapt out at me about family salvation. I copied them all down and read them every day. After several months, something clicked in me. And I knew that I knew that I knew that my children would eventually be saved and with me in eternity. I have absolute faith!  And as it stands now, one of my kids still claims to be an atheist. But I don't worry about it. I know my God and I know His promises, and I trust Him!  

Same thing applies to every worry, problem, or struggle you have. Yes, there may be a reason you are going through difficulties right now... a purpose God has for the struggle. But that doesn't negate His many promises for health, abundance, wisdom, strength, joy, salvation, etc. Once He's used the problem to either test or mold you, it will go away. 

 Why not start now and believe what God says in His Word. Even if you don't see the results right away. Abraham waited twenty-five years for a son that God had promised him! 25 years!  

How do you find the verses you need? Read the Bible! I could list some here, but it's better if you find them yourself. God is pleased when you search His Word for yourself.  If there's nothing specific pertaining to your problem, there are many general promises you can use. One of my favorites is Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  

All things pretty much covers ALL things, don't you think?  

 Now, just to be clear. I do not believe in the  "Name it, Claim it" movement in some charismatic churches.  I believe in God's promises and that He rewards faith. The Bible is not just words on a page. It is powerful!  So powerful that the Scripture tells us to use it as an offensive weapon!

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  Ephesians 6:17 

 So take up your sword and keep using it. Repeat those promises. Get them deep inside you. Faith comes by hearing...and hearing by the Word of God!