“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

How much do you believe that you need God? Honestly, on a daily basis, do you tend to think you’ve got things covered or do you acknowledge that, ultimately, only God can cover your needs? This is an important question, because it reveals something about our prayer lives.

Jesus’ continual attention to the relationship between prayer and faith infers that we might have a tendency to pray without faith. That might seem strange because, in and of itself, prayer is an expression of faith. But what does that faith consist of? Is it a simple recognition that God exists, or is it something more?

Human nature trends toward dependency on self and the ability to solve our own problems and meet our own needs. The spirit-filled life, though, is entirely dependent on God. So faith-filled prayer is a posture that recognizes our powerlessness and dependence on God. It is submissive, acknowledging that His will and wisdom are greater than our own. It’s counter-intuitive. The more we acknowledge our own weakness, the more we are able to experience His power. This is the life of prayer to which Jesus calls us, the life of prayer that God will answer. It is a prayer where faith is properly placed, not in ourselves, but in the Father who has the power and wisdom we need.

• What does your prayer life say about where you currently place the most faith?

• Pray: Before you ask God for anything today, confess the areas of your life where you tend to seek independence from Him. Acknowledge your need for Him in all things, not to help you do better than what you can already do, but to do what only He can do through you.