What
happens when you're up against a situation that seems insurmountable?
How do you cope when life suddenly turns upside down? Or when it feels
like you're never going to get where you want to be? Maybe you're
struggling to get debt-free, recover your health, or overcome the
ravages of a bad relationship or loss of a loved one.
Do you rant
and rave at the unfairness of it all? Do you throw up your hands, sigh
and 'accept the inevitable'? Maybe you sit down and sob, expending your
valuable energy on a pity party for yourself.
I'd like to offer you a different option. Effective prayer.
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). The
Amplified Bible says it this way: The (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a
righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its
working].
A dynamo is a generator, creating great power. It also
means forceful and energetic. Wouldn't you like to have dynamic power
working for you in those situations? Well, you can.
I'd like to share four action steps that you can use to move those negative circumstances out of your way.
Preparation:
Everything in life requires preparation. You can't fix a meal without
first assembling the right ingredients and utensils. You can't drive a
car if it's not fuelled up and ready. Faith is the same way. You can't
use it effectively unless you are prepared to use it properly. Yet,
preparation - developing your faith - is usually the most neglected part
of a Christian's life because it takes t-i-m-e.
The Bible says 'faith comes by hearing' (Rom. 10:17).
Hearing The Word, studying and meditating on it, building your
unwavering trust in it is the 'fuel' that makes the engine of faith
work. If there's nothing in your faith tank, your prayer will be weak.
If you can't believe that what you are asking for is possible (remember,
'with God, nothing is impossible'! - Luke 1:37), you won't ignite the spiritual power you need to override your present circumstances.
Prayer: If
preparation is the fuel, prayer is your ignition switch. Prayer says
'GO'. Your words, spoken in faith, give your High Priest, Jesus,
something to administer. He is the author and finisher of your
faith. Prayer alerts the angels to go to work on your behalf (see
Hebrews 1:14). It starts the process of transferring blessing, healing,
abundance - whatever you need - from spiritual promise to physical
manifestation.
Effective prayer mimics God's promises, repeating
back to Him what He has already promised you. It sets you in agreement
with His Word. If you stay in agreement with Him without waivering or
doubting, He can confirm your words, causing them to be effective.
Remember, a double-minded man (see-sawing between faith and doubt or
fear) cannot expect to receive anything (James 1:7-8).
Patience:
Transferring blessings from the spiritual realm into the natural
usually takes time. Make up your mind to go the distance. Patience is
your cruise control. Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James
1:4) Set your faith and don't waver. It may seem to take 'forever', but
as long as you are believing, God is moving you and your circumstances
toward your final destination. If you stay on the road, you'll
eventually get where you want to go!
Avoid the pot holes and
detours of doubt, fear, frustration, unforgiveness, regret and envy.
Keep your words positive and focused, supported by actions that
demonstrate and support your faith goals. Patience is not resignation -
"Oh well, maybe someday it will happen." It is a powerful partner to
faith, determined to 'go the distance' until you actually have what you
believed.
Persistence: Persistence becomes your
itinerary, your plan or goal. It goes hand in hand with patience. When
we were travelling cross-country, we didn't waiver or wonder if we
should change our plans or give up and stay home. We knew what we want
to see and do - and what it would take in time and money. We were
committed.
We actually started planning months in advance
(preparation). We stayed focused on the plan. We didn't get sidetracked
by spending our trip money on other goodies. We didn't book hotels on
the east coast when we were headed for the Rockies. We thought, spoke
and acted according to our plan. We persisted to the end of the trip.
Persistence keeps you standing in faith, making positive confessions and
working toward the results you want.
Now, here's the fuel additive - gratitude. Thank God in advance for the thing you believe. Believe that you have what you say, and you shall have what you said you believe. (See
Mark 11:24) If you truly BELIEVE when you pray, you can praise God for
it before you see the result. Gratitude and praise keep your faith
running smoothly toward your goal.
These four steps are the action
formula for answered prayer. If you combine your fuel, ignition,
direction and action in the proper mixture (preparation, prayer,
patience and persistence), and pour on plenty of gratitude and praise,
you will get where you want to be. You will never be 'under the
circumstances' again. Instead, you'll be on the road to victory and
blessing.
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