Journal Entry ~ 05/23/19

23 And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes."24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" - Mark 9:23-24

IF is a doubt word.  It's occurred to me that my prayers have often sounded like this father's prayer - if you can, God, please take care of this...if it's in your will. IF. Jesus speaks to us doubters with the very next phrase - ALL things are possible for one who believes. Not some. ALL. 

Do we really pray as if we believe that?  Or do we tiptoe around what we want, and use the word IF to capture all our doubt and fear?  IF holds on to the contingency that it must not be in God's will if it didn't happen. ALL things are possible, but we must believe all things are possible. 

It’s true - we are to pray God's will, but we must be careful in how we use the word IF when we're praying. If it's being used as a word of submission, it's valid, but if it's used as a word of doubt, we need to stop. 

We are never to question IF God can do something ~ He can do anything. We are never question IF His promises are for us ~ we know they are for us. But here is where many of us get stuck —> we are never to question IF something is His Will. If we spend enough time in His Word and in prayer with Him, we should know His Will. He doesn't keep it a secret. 

I think some of us know the verse from James, Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." - James 4:15, and we’ve adopted those words into our prayers. We have added IF to many of our prayers, questioning whether or not something is God’s will. This passage in James is an admonishment against boasting about tomorrow, in a chapter about worldliness, in a paragraph about making money. So, if you’re making worldly plans for your tomorrows focusing on the money you will make, then yes - you should probably pray IF. 

But if your prayers include something that is on His Will - the salvation of a loved one, the reconciliation of a relationship, the peace and comfort of Jesus Christ in a time of sorrow - then you pray with confidence knowing that is His will. You can belief He will make it happen. 

If it’s not in His will, then it’s time to question why you are praying for it - is it for your comfort or security, would it make your life easier if He did something you’re requesting, is it for selfish gain?  Why are you wondering IF it’s in God’s will? Spend time in scripture and you will know if it’s in will - and if it’s in His will, pray it with confidence that it will happen if you believe. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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