In his work, Necessity of Prayer, E.M. Bounds writes the following about prayer and trust:
“Prayer does not stand alone. It is not an isolated duty and independent principle. It lives in association with other Christian duties, is wedded to other principles, is a partner with other graces. But to faith, prayer is indissolubly joined. Faith gives it color and tone, shapes it character, and secures its results. Trust is faith become absolute, ratified, consummated. There is, when all is said and done, a sort of venture in faith and its exercise. But trust is firm belief, it is faith in full-flower. Trust is a conscious act…seeing God doing things here and now…Our Lord puts trust as the very foundation of praying. The background of prayer is trust. The whole issuance of Christ’s ministry and work was dependent on implicit trust in His Father. The center of trust is God. Mountains of difficulties, and all other hindrances to prayer are moved out of the way by trust and faith. When trust is perfect and without doubt, prayer is simply the outstretched hand, ready to receive. Trust perfected is prayer perfected. Trust looks to receive the thing asked for – and gets it. Trust is not a belief that God can bless, that He will bless, but that He does bless, here and now. Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks toward the future; trust looks to the present. Hope expects; trust possesses. Trust receives what prayer acquires. So what prayer needs at all times is abiding and abundant trust.”
In our Encounter time this past week, we were challenged to become more mature in our praying. A part of that was encouraging us to fast and pray. Now before one thinks we have gone legalistic or something, fasting is taught in the scriptures. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught on the practice of fasting as being part of a Kingdom citizen: “And when you fast, don’t look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have already received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The reason I mention the above is that we as a church have big decisions to make in the coming months concerning Phase 2 of our building project. Not only do we need wisdom, but we also need faith and trust in the Lord to accomplish his purpose for his church. With that said, our Encounter group decided to incorporate fasting with our praying. I specifically chose to fast and pray for our new church and the decisions that need to be made. Other needs listed for our church were taken by our prayer group and they will be fasting and praying for God to move in those requests as well.
Join with us as we look with hope for the future and trusting God’s provision for the present!
To His Glory,
Pastor Bill