Matthew 21:21-22
Two little children, a brother and sister, when their mother was expecting her third child would pray to God. The brother, a seven-year-old boy would pray for a brother with whom he would play. The sister, a four-year-old girl would pray for a sister with whom she would share her dolls.
Both had such conviction that God would answer their respective prayers. When the baby arrived, it was a boy who looked like the sister. The little boy would be so playful in his childhood that he was comfortable playing with his brother’s trucks as well as his sister’s dolls. Unknowingly, these children had followed the text in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”.
Activating faith in prayer calls one to be like a child. A child innocently asks the parent for what he/she needs and with such conviction that the parent will do as requested. The little child doesn’t have a conception of a request denied. This is largely because he/she is sure about whom he/she asks. To the child, the parent cannot fail to deliver. The same is with every child of God when he/she prays. The Bible notes that our Father in heaven cannot deny any of his children when they ask of him. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11).
Knowing to whom prayers are directed gives the comfort that not only will a prayer be heard, it will also be answered. In Matthew 21:18-22 Jesus cursed a fig tree and it dried up. He didn’t use many words, or even touch it. He just spoke. That was his lesson to his disciples. All they need do is speak in faith and it would be done. ‘Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” (Matthew 21:21-22)
In our world today, spoken faith is at risk. Many people want to touch so that they can believe. This is the reason many continue to flock to churches where the preacher/pastor ‘performs miracles’ with much drama. People have been mishandled and even made to drink concoctions. All in the name of miracles. Such power has earned the preacher the kind of respect that causes the congregation to stay for more of such drama. Yet, Jesus didn’t perform miracles with drama. He only spoke in faith, and mountains were moved. We too will accomplish much when we pray and act in faith. When we ask in faith, it means that we believe that God will do it, and he does it.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6