“The faith which creates powerful praying is the faith which centres itself on a powerful Person. Faith in Christ’s ability to do and to do greatly, is the faith which prays greatly.”

 

-E.M. Bounds

 

I have a question for all of us to consider: Are faith and prayer related in any way? Assuming the answer to that question is YES, they are related, then I have a follow up question. What happens to prayer in our lives if we struggle at times with faith-lessness? Sin lies at the root of faith-lessness. When I sin, my faith takes a hit; sin is the great rift between God and man. Therefore, as sin distances me from intimacy with God, faith-lessness causes my life of prayer to weaken. If my soul tarries too long here, doubt comes to ravage what’s left of my belief that as I pray, I will receive what I ask for. No wonder I am called upon to hate sin above all else! So as we aspire to a life of prayer we need to pray as the Lord prayed for Peter’s faith never to wane…to stay firmly rooted (Lk. 22:31-32). May our faith be established by an unbreakable bond to the cross, where Christ struck the decisive fatal blow to our sin and unbelief. Every doubt…every shameful act…every legalistic lie…now covered with the precious blood of Christ. Oh, how amazing it is to now pray with a heart freed from sin, shame, and faithlessness! Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin!

 

Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that, in Christ, I have freedom to come to You…no strings attached. When I have seasons of doubt and faithlessness, You remain faithful. Thank You that You don’t give up on me! Amen

 

Blessings,
Clayton J. Elliott
Pastoral Ministries and Prayer, Kontaktmission USA clay@GoKMUSA.org (731) 217-1741

 

Here are two recent prayer requests from KM missionaries.

The first from the team working in Schachan, Kazakhstan “As we look back on the past year we are thankful for the ways God has guided us. Please pray that we are ready to let him change us and to be faithful in his work. Thank you for praying for us!

 

The second comes from a team member working in Wüstenrot, Germany. “Praise the Lord for a wonderful, blessed, adventurous year! Thank him for all the steps forward I was able to take with him and experience his presence. Please pray for even more opportunities for leadership seminars and CallingDays. Pray for open doors to present GetAwayDays to churches and expand sponsorship.”