Standing on the Promises of Prayer

There were various times in Jesus' life when he talked about prayer. He also gave us promises in regard to this very action.

On one occasion Jesus had cursed a fig tree and it withered immediately. The disciples were amazed at what Jesus was able to do. Then, Jesus puts the ball in their court by saying that if they had faith they could command a mountain to be cast into the sea. He concluded this comment by saying: "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:20

Prayer cannot be just a few words casually spoken from our lips as if they just seem to evaporate into the wind. Jesus wanted us to pray in faith; that is, he wanted us to take seriously our words and that are words are reaching heaven, and to believe that God cares enough to do something about what we say.

What is important here is the promise. Jesus tells us that by praying, we are able to receive what is beyond our limitations and what might be beyond our own expectations. So when you pray, it is helpful to remember the promise and the one who is saying these words.