Growing in Faith Through Prayer

Prayer is communion with God and it is the main tool that keeps us in touch with the Almighty God. There are so many ways in which a believer can grow in faith through prayer.

 

Since prayer is done in so many ways, it is from these many ways then does a believer get to grow in faith; for example when praying together there is much power.According to Mathew 18:19, 20: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” Those who meet together for prayer will receive an unction from the Holy One.

 

Prayer also gives a believer power over the evil forces of the dark. An example is Jesus who had to pray at Gethsemane for God’s will to be done and for God to strengthen Him during that trying period when He was tempted to quit because of much suffering.

 

Through prayer, a believer also grows in faith by gaining the opportunity to see God’s providence. Mercy and Protection. A good example is the Life of Daniel who prayed daily three times and even though he was reported to the King, he saw God’s mighty hand in the Lions den. Later he was able to interpret the King’s dream which the sorcerers, enchanters and magicians were unable to unravel.

 

Through prayer a believer can get answers to his/her prayer which will be an encouragement to him or her, that God is able to do exceedingly good and marvelous deeds. Let us take Hannah for instance. She constantly prayed for a child and later she was given a son Samuel who went on to be a great prophet among the Israelites. In the same way if a Christian engages in much prayer just like Hannah did, then the prayers will be answered and the faith in Jesus will grow.

 

Since faith is believing in things not seen, persistence is necessary in prayer. Remember we are told in the Bible to pray without ceasing. Prayer will help a believer be patient and also continue longing for Heavenly things including the second coming of Jesus Christ which is very soon. We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life.

 

When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much the believers prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove? Frequently they spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then. Souls are more hardened. We need now to be imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and we should not rest until we receive it.-(Ellen G. White Testimonies Vol 5 p 161)

 

A Christian also learns to take care and be mindful of others through intercessory prayers. This promotes love Unity and Harmony. Jesus is also seen praying for His followers (us) in John 17 therefore giving us an important example to follow and therefore showing importance of intercessory prayers. It also encourages us to be in Prayer bands and to know that there are people praying for us.

 

Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Jesus longs to have us reach after Him by faith. He longs to have us expect great things from Him. He longs to give us understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters-(Christ Object Lessons p 146). Therefore it is only through prayer that we can be able to grow in faith and that is the reason why Christ gave us the Lord’s Prayer. Do you want to grow in faith as a believer? Try prayer.