Systematic theologian and author Wayne Grudem says, “The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.”
Understanding the authority of scripture is crucial to effective and fervent prayer. When the scriptures say something, it’s God himself who has said it. If we believe and obey it, we have believed and obeyed God. If we disbelieve or disobey it, we have disbelieved and disobeyed God.
God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29).
Here are some powerful statements God makes about prayer
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24 NIV).
Notice that it says, “believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” It doesn’t say “believe that you will receive it”. It says, “believe that you have received it”. You do the believing at the time of prayer. It also doesn’t say, “and it is yours”, as in right now. It says, “and it will be yours”. In the future, later than the time of prayer, you will receive the physical manifestation of your prayer.
The foundation of this kind of belief is having faith in God. Jesus starts the discussion with “Have faith in God.” The whole pericope is as follows:
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:20-25 ESV).
What follows “Have faith in God” in verse 23a (highlighted yellow) seems to be related to this command by an Idea-Explanation relationship or idea-illustration relationship. That is, that is a picture of a person who has faith in God. Verse 23b (highlighted in blue) is the result or implication of 23a (which is a definition of having faith in God). Thus, it’s almost as though Jesus is saying, “Have faith in God,” and it will be done for you.” Verse 24 is an inference drawn from verses 22-23 that applies this “have faith in God” theme to prayer.
1 John 5:14-15
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Notice that John’s words above also reinforce the idea from Mark 11:24 that we “believe we have received it” at the time of prayer. John says, “If we ask something according to his will…we know that we have what we have asked of him.” That’s at the time of prayer. That’s God’s word, and God never lies. In fact, he cannot lie. So we must believe it and act on it in prayer.
The best way to pray is to:
- Prayerfully ascertain God’s will. Use George Müller’s approach. Always find a Bible verse that speaks to that subject. The word and the spirit must be combined. Then pray and make sure that the spirit of peace confirms it to you that that word is true, that you are the servant called to intercede for it, and that the timing is right for God to bring it about.
- Pray God’s will to be done. This is when you embark on regularly praying about it until it comes to pass.
Going back to Mark 11:23-24 NCV, we see the scriptures say:
“I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, fall into the sea.’ And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you. So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you.” Mark 11:23-24 NCV
And you can believe you have received them when the things you ask for in prayer are according to God’s will.
