One Thing That Limits God's Power in Our Prayers
How Weak Faith Creates Weak Prayers and Limits Divine Power
Marcus stared at the stack of overdue bills on his kitchen table, the weight of two years' worth of unanswered prayers pressing down on his shoulders. Like many believers facing prolonged trials, he had begun to wonder if God was truly listening—or if He simply didn't care about the "small" matters of daily provision.
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart… Luke 18:1
Here, Jesus emphasizes the need for robust, vigorous, earnest, consistent praying. Praying that does not lose heart, nor faint at the task. "Nevertheless," He asks, "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
If our faith were the size of a mustard seed, we would move mountains daily—yet many of us cannot move ourselves to our knees in persistent prayer.
The degree of prayer's possibilities is measured by faith in God's promises and His ability to act according to those promises. Faith is the condition by which God works and the one condition by which we pray. We need to learn that faith rests not merely in the promise itself, but actually in the Promiser Himself.
Marcus needed this reminder. His prayers had become mechanical recitations rather than confident appeals to an all-powerful God.
"A feeble faith has always brought forth feeble praying. Vigorous faith creates vigorous praying." —E.M. Bounds
Prayer's possibilities depend upon faith.
The disciples could not cure the boy when his father first brought him to them. Jesus said all things were possible to him who believes. Did they have faith in Jesus' ability? Certainly the ability to do belongs to Christ, but the doing relied on the faith of the one asking.
Perhaps Marcus - and we - need reminding of God's omnipotent power, unlimited ability, and sovereign majesty over all creation. He turned water to wine, called forth Lazarus - and even the wind and waves obeyed Him! He fed those who followed from a few loaves and fishes, made the deaf hear, the blind see, and rebuilt the temple in three days.
Bounds says, "The only condition which restrains God's power and disables Him to act is unfaith. He is not limited in action nor restrained by the conditions which limit men."
May our faith in God's power increase!
If we look to God and cry to Him in true prayer, He will hear and act according to that faith in His power and ability.
"Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" That was His question to Sarah when she laughed at His promise that she would bear a son in her old age. He asked Moses, "Has the LORD's arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not."
Nothing is too difficult for the Lord to do for His faithful believers. Paul declares He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think"… Indeed, His ability to do goes far beyond our ability to ask!
"Prayer has to do with God, with His ability to do. The possibility of prayer is the measure of God's ability to do." —E.M. Bounds
In the parable, the judge grants the widow's request "lest by her continual coming she weary me." Yet our Lord tells us He will answer speedily those who cry to Him day and night. We are to continually ask in faith, for He is ever ready to act when we ask for what is needed.
Marcus closed his eyes and remembered: the God who parted seas still parts obstacles. The God who provided manna still provides daily bread. The God who heard Elijah still hears today.
Will we dare to pray as if our Lord’s power has no limits—because it doesn't? Do not lose heart, do not grow weary, but have faith in God’s ability to act!
