Step into the next chapter of our exploration in “Weaving Prayer and Faith into the Fabric of Your Life”. Embark on a faith journey that teaches us the art of navigating through trust, patience, thankfulness and belief.
Faith, according to the Bible, has two sides: one where you ask for things through prayer and another where you accept and appreciate the good things you receive. Paul often talks about this dual nature of faith, linking prayer with making requests and thanksgiving with recognizing blessings (Philippians 4: 6-7). It is essential in our Christian journey to understand both aspects. Instead of always asking for things, there is a crucial moment when we should start appreciating what we have. As Mark 11:24 says, “Believe that you have received, and you shall have.”
In our Christian journey there comes a time to move
from asking
to receiving.
This shift highlights the importance of distinguishing between God’s promises and realities. Promises are something we eagerly anticipate, praying for their fulfillment, while realities are things we acknowledge and promptly embrace. The real power and blessings come from the faith that seizes. The more we trust in this way, the more abundance and strength enter our Christian lives. Every day, we can live a life of faith, echoing what Paul declares in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who is empowering me,” and confidently affirming, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
In his insightful work, “A Living Sacrifice,” Watchman Nee navigates the intricate landscape of faith, offering a thought-provoking analogy that paints faith as a coin with two distinct sides. 
Proactive faith, akin to a dynamic force, propels us into action as we actively seek and make requests. On the other side, receptive faith becomes a profound expression of gratitude for the blessings we have received. Together, these dual dimensions of faith provide a picture of the dynamic interplay between our seeking and thankfulness at the same time.
Consider the distinction between asking God to make you grateful and actively being grateful. The variance lies in the perspective and approach you adopt towards gratitude.
When you ask God to make you grateful, you are essentially requesting a shift in your own disposition and mindset, acknowledging that your current level of gratitude may not be as profound as desired. You seek divine assistance to nurture a more appreciative attitude, signaling a desire for internal transformation.
Conversely, being grateful is a deliberate and conscious practice. It goes beyond external circumstances, involving the active acknowledgment and appreciation of all facets of your life. Thankfulness becomes a personal and intentional choice, a continual practice of recognizing the blessings even in challenging situations.
The words of Philippians 4:6-7 capture this beautifully: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Embracing both the request for transformation and the active pursuit of gratitude, result in a profound sense of peace through the combination of personal choices and spiritual guidance.
So, how does one maintain and strengthen their faith through prayer?
Discovering the profound wisdom within Mark 11:24,“Believe that you have received, and you shall have,” Watchman Nee unfolds a transformative perspective on prayer. The essence of this verse revolves around three crucial principles:
Pray with Empty Hands: Commence your prayers even when tangible outcomes are yet to manifest. The journey begins with faith preceding evidence.
Persist in Belief with Empty Hands: Despite the absence of immediate results, persist in unwavering faith. Continue to believe in the fruition of your prayers, clinging to the conviction that they will be granted.
Shift in Faith: The turning point arrives when you shift your belief. Instead of focusing on lack, start thanking God as if the desired outcome is already in your possession. Gratitude precedes manifestation, and as you consistently uphold this transformed belief, you witness the answers to your prayers materializing.
Allow me to share a personal testimony that exemplifies the power of these principles. My son, David, experienced tumultuous years as he navigated the challenges of growing into manhood. Despite his prolonged pretense of faith, his actions failed to align with a genuine love for the Lord. For years, my prayers for his salvation were met with tears and sorrow.
Faced with desperation, I made a conscious choice to express gratitude to God for David’s salvation. Every day, I thanked God, acknowledging that I was one day closer to witnessing the fulfillment of my prayers. When inquiries arose about David’s well-being, my response echoed with unwavering faith: “Praise God, I am one day closer to seeing him born again!”
In a beautiful culmination, the manifestation of this transformed belief unfolded over a decade later. A phone call from David revealed the miraculous news – he, along with his family, had embraced Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This profound experience serves as a testament to the power of prayer, the unwavering belief in the unseen, and the transformative power of gratitude. Through these principles, we not only pray but also witness the divine orchestration of answered prayers in our lives.
Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
So, in simple terms, faith is like a two-sided coin, and when you pray, believe, and thank God even before you see the results.
In our subsequent discussion, we will explore the significance of persistence in prayer. We will delve into the delicate balance between maintaining persistence in prayer and simultaneously upholding faith and gratitude towards God, even before witnessing tangible results. Stay tuned for a deeper exploration of this dynamic interplay in our spiritual journey.