The church gathered in the home of John Mark in Acts 12:12 were
involved in "believing prayer."   Against all odds they prayed on.
Even when they did not believe for a miracle they persisted, they
prayed on, they prevailed knowing that God Was Able to do better and
more than they could ask. ---  He did...

Prayer is, and always should be, the core of the church.  It is the
umbilical cord that ties us to the Lord Jesus.  Jesus said, "Without
me you can do (accomplish) nothing."  Paul goes further expounds this
truth in Hebrews 11 when he declares that it is virtually impossible
to please God without being an on-fire prayer warrior.  Listen...

"But without faith IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to please Him;
for he that comes to God must believe that He is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6

To put it another way, without being involved in believing prayer you
cannot expect that you can approach God, nor receive any reward from
Him.   Let's look at the conditions of believing prayer:


I. Believe that He is...

	1. He is Able - Jeremiah 32:17,27
	2. He is Sovereign - I Chronicles 29:11
	3. He is still on the Throne - Ephesians 1:18-21
	4. He is Listening - Psalm 34:15


II. Believe he rewards "diligent seekers"

	1. He answers - Isaiah 59:1-2
	2. He does more than we ask - Ephesians 3:20
	3. He rewards us - Luke 11:9-13





Believe God for Something!
James 5:18
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"


Faith is essential - Hebrews 11:6   
1) Believe He is 
2) Believe He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Faith is always demonstrable - 
Show me your faith. Faith without works (or evidence) is dead. Show your 
faith and its work.  James 2:17-26 How? Be specific, persistent, 
believe.

Faith is always tangible - 
Anchored on God's Word believing for something. Faith is always related 
to the "promises" - the Word of God and the work of God.


Be Specific
Matthew 20:30-34 Two blind me approach Jesus with shouts. Jesus asks, "What do 
you want me to do for you." 

Matthew 18:19 Teaches us to agree together with 2-3 people "as touching any 
thing" then ask and it will be done.



Be Persistent
James 1:7-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is 
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man 
think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is 
unstable in all his ways.

Luke 11:8-13 Jesus teaches us to be persistent before God with our needs. That 
is, we are to be urgent about it. 

Prayer is "dominant desire." 
What do you really want God to do? What do you long for?



Be Believing - Faith Filled
Mark 5:36 When a ruler of the synagogue came to Jesus for his daughter the news 
was that she was already dead. But Jesus said, "Be not afraid. Only believe."  
Can you believe God when it appears all is lost?

Mark 9:23-24 A man with a demonized epileptic son came to Jesus crying for help. 
Jesus said, "If you believe, all things are possible to him that believes."  The 
man responded in desperation. "Lord, I believe - help my unbelief!"

Mark 11:23 Jesus again challenges his disciples when they saw him wither a fig 
tree with his words. "Have faith in God. For I say to you that whoever shall say 
to this mountain, Be removed and cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his 
heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he 
shall have whatever his says. Therefore whatever things you desire when you 
pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them."



WHAT ARE YOU ASKING GOD TO DO?

Be specific - what are you believing God to do?

Specific request that you LONG FOR, BELIEVE GOD WANTS, and ARE WILLING TO 
PERSIST FOR.



In your life and family

1.  ____________________________________________________________
 
2.  ____________________________________________________________
 
3.  ____________________________________________________________

In your church.

1.  ____________________________________________________________
 
2.  ____________________________________________________________
 
3.  ____________________________________________________________


In the lives of others.

1.  ____________________________________________________________
 
2.  ____________________________________________________________
 
3.  ____________________________________________________________


Take some time this evening to consider these "faith requests." Be sure 
they are from the heart, not from the top of your head. You must long 
for them, believe for them, and plead for them.