Pray Positively

“And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’”
1 Kings 18:44 (ESV)

I read about an elderly woman who moved into an assisted living home and immediately zeroed in on one particular man. At every meal, she sat directly across from him, said nothing, just stared and smiled. After three days of this, he finally asked, "Why do you keep staring at me?" She replied, "You look just like my fourth husband." He said, "How many husbands have you had?" She smiled and said, "Three."

This woman was certain. She was positive. That’s the kind of confidence you can have when you pray positively, trusting God’s promise.

When Elijah's servant spotted a small cloud the size of a man’s hand, barely above the horizon, he immediately told King Ahab to get moving before the rain stopped him. How could he be so sure? Simple. God keeps His promises. 

God doesn't say "I might" or "I may" or "I could" or "I should." When God makes a promise, He always uses two words: "I will."

We say, "Seeing is believing." The Bible teaches, "Believing is seeing." That's the mark of mature faith. You see it when you truly believe it.

When you pray, God expects you to pray expectantly. Pray positively. Live as if the answer is already here. You don't have the right to assume God will give you what you want when you want it. But you can be one hundred percent assured God will give you what He wants when He wants and what you need when you need it.

This week, pray with complete confidence in what's coming.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to pray with expectant faith. Help me believe Your promises so completely that I live like the answer is already on its way. I trust that You’ll give me what You want, when You want. I trust Your goodness, Lord, and pray in Your great Name, Amen.