And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours. 1 John 5:14 (MSG)
What we believe affects how we pray.
Unfortunately, many people have come to believe inaccurate doctrines about prayer. And the more they struggle to see their prayers work, the more their faith erodes.
One misguided doctrine involves begging and pleading with God to act, as though He is unwilling and needs convincing. Another out-of-context doctrine involves believing Satan is so powerful that he’s blocking things from believers, such as healing. So people think they have to fight the devil to get to their blessing.
The first group is trying to convince God they’re worthy or desperate enough. The second group believes Satan, a defeated, fallen angel, is more powerful than the prayers of the saints. Both ideas are inaccurate, yet many peoples’ prayer lives reflect these misbeliefs.
As believers, we all have to make a decision. We can follow the teachings of legalistic religion and whatever our well-intentioned friends say. Or we can stick to what God's Word says on the matter.
God’s Word says Jesus’ work on the cross defeated Satan (Colossians 2:14-15, 1 John 3:8). Through Christ, God gave us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3). Think about it—if God willingly sacrificed His own Son for us, He's not withholding healing, prosperity or anything else from us.
Study the New Testament to know His promises and to understand all that Jesus accomplished through the cross. It will completely transform how you see God and change the way you pray!
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