Praying in faith

As believers in Christ, we should be men and women of faith. We should be taking "risks" in our walk, walking in faith for God to do amazing things.

American Christians, however, have learned to play it safe. We have planned and prepared for almost every possible emergency situation. We are the wealthiest people on the planet,  as well as extremely independent. Our tendency is to rely on no one but ourselves. We plan, prepare, and act as if God doesn't even exist in our everyday activities. We live our lives so safely that we never step out in faith to believe that God could show up and do some amazing things if we will just trust Him.

In the book Crazy Love, Francis Chan addresses this issue in this way:

Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don't trust God if something unexpected happens - they have their savings account. They don't need God to help them - they have their retirement in place. They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live - they have life figured and mapped out. They don't depend on God on a daily basis - their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God (p. 78).

In spite of all of our planning and preparation, though, events and circumstances will occur that are beyond our control. I know from personal experience that God has a way of showing up in the life of the believer after you think you have life figured out, after you have planned and prepared for the unexpected. He allows us to be placed into situations where we are brought to our knees, praying in faith, asking Him to take control and work miracles when there seems to be no hope.

In what areas are you praying in faith, today? Are you in need of employment? Are you in a real estate crisis? Is your family in trouble? Do you have major health concerns? Are you trying to dig out of a mountain of debt? Whatever your need, come to Him. He desires the intimacy with you that life problems can bring. Admit your failures, learn from your mistakes, and pray in faith for Him to take control. He's there, waiting and desiring to walk with you through the difficulty.