Faith is widely believed to be the force that moves the hand of God. Prayer is also considered to be a powerful tool that can move God to action. However, it is important to recognise that prayer is not about instructing or informing God, but rather, it is an act of faith that activates and aims one's faith towards a specific need or desire. In addition to faith and prayer, God is also moved by purity, compassion, integrity, and desire. Cultivating a strong relationship with God through prayer, studying God's Word, and trusting in His plan are essential for recognising and following His guidance in our lives.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
What moves God to action | Faith |
What activates faith | Prayer |
What is the value of prayer | Two-fold |
What is the first purpose of prayer | Activating your faith |
What is the second purpose of prayer | Aiming your faith |
What is the value of faith | "I believe!" and "I receive!" |
What is the value of prayer and faith | To move God's hand |
What is the power of prayer | To move the hand that moves the world |
What is the purpose of prayer | To confess sins, connect with God, and receive guidance |
What is the importance of prayer | To receive God's love, power, and guidance |
What is the key to prayer | Constant connection and alignment with God |
What is the role of desire in prayer | It fuels the passionate pursuit of God |
What is the role of compassion in prayer | It adds depth and sincerity to our requests |
What You'll Learn
Prayer and faith
Prayer is a gift from God, through which He reveals His will and power, and it is foundational to our relationships and our work. It is a way to connect with God, to listen to His voice, and to share our inner thoughts and concerns with Him. Through prayer, we can ask for wisdom, recognition of His guidance, and help in submitting to His will.
However, prayer alone does not move God's hand. It is our faith that truly moves God to action. Faith says, "I believe!" and "I receive!". It is the substance of our prayers, activating and aiming them towards our specific needs and desires.
For instance, in the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?". Bartimaeus replied specifically, "Rabbi, I want to see.". He aimed his faith precisely at what he wanted from God.
To strengthen our faith and better recognise God's hand in our lives, we must familiarise ourselves with God's Word, communicate with Him through prayer, and trust in His guidance, even when it goes against our logic or desires.
In conclusion, while prayer is essential to our connection with God, it is our faith that truly moves His hand. Through faith-filled prayers, we can aim our desires and passions towards God and unlock His blessings and power in our lives.
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God's will and obedience
Prayer and Faith
The Bible says that God is spirit (John 4:24) and does not have a physical form. However, this does not mean that God cannot take on a physical form, and there are several instances in Scripture where God does exactly that. In this sense, the "hand of God" is a metaphor for God's guidance, instruction, and discipline in our lives.
While prayer is an important way to communicate with God, it is faith that truly moves God's hand. Prayer activates and aims your faith, and it is through prayer that God reveals His will to us. It is important to note that prayer is not about informing or instructing God, but rather it is a way to connect with Him and align our hearts with His.
Walking with God
To walk with God means to have a relationship with Him, which is achieved by knowing His Word and hearing what He says to our spirits. This relationship is not about making requests or demands of God but about being connected and aligned with His heart. Walking with God requires trust and obedience, even when His ways seem to go against human logic.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Giving and Obedience
Obedience to God's instructions often involves giving, even when it hurts or requires sacrifice. This type of giving demonstrates our trust in God and our willingness to move His hand in our lives. For example, in 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah vowed to give up her firstborn son if God answered her prayers. This act of obedience and sacrifice moved the hand of God, and she was blessed with not only one but several children.
The Power of Compassionate Weeping
Passionate prayer and intercession are also ways to move the hand of God. When we are desperate and yearning for God, our prayers become more than just words; they become expressions of our deep-seated desire for Him. Compassionate weeping is a form of prayer that goes beyond words and articulates our passion and love for God.
In conclusion, it is our faith, trust, and obedience that move the hand of God. Through prayer, giving, and passionate intercession, we can align ourselves with God's will and experience His blessings and miracles in our lives.
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God's word and trust
God's Word is a powerful tool that can help us understand His will and guidance for our lives. By studying the Scriptures, we can gain insight into who God is and how He works, enabling us to better recognise and trust in His hand moving in our lives. This trust is built through prayer, which activates and aims our faith, moving God to action.
Understanding God's Word
The Bible is God's Word revealed to us, and it serves as an instruction manual for our lives. Through reading and meditating on Scripture, we can learn about God's character, His promises, and how He wants us to respond to Him. For example, in Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. This understanding of God's Word provides the foundation for our trust in Him.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, express our desires, and make our requests known to Him. While God already knows our needs, prayer helps to activate our faith and align our hearts with His. As we pray, we are moved, and our faith is aimed specifically at our needs, moving God's hand to action.
Faith in Action
Faith is what truly moves God's hand. It is the substance of our belief and trust in God, and it is demonstrated through our actions. For instance, in Mark 12:43-44, Jesus commends a poor widow for giving out of her poverty, showing that God values our willingness to give sacrificially. This kind of faith-driven obedience unlocks God's blessings and moves Him to act on our behalf.
Trusting in God's Guidance
The hand of God is a symbol of His guidance, instruction, and discipline in our lives. While we may not always understand His ways, especially during trials and struggles, we can trust that He is working for our good. Like a loving father guiding His child, God's hand may lead us through difficult paths, but in hindsight, we can often see the purpose and meaning in those experiences.
The Impact of Desire
Desire is a strategic quality that God looks for in our prayers. It is the passionate pursuit of God and a yearning for Him to move in our lives and in the world. When we pray with desire, our prayers become fervent and effective, moving God's hand to bring about change. This prayer passion is fuelled by our love for God and our desire to be near Him, resulting in extravagant displays of love and zeal.
In conclusion, God's Word provides the foundation for our trust in Him, and prayer activates our faith, moving God's hand. Through faith, obedience, and desire, we can see God's hand at work in our lives, guiding and blessing us in ways that may not always be apparent in the moment but will become clear in hindsight.
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Prayer and intercession
The Bible says, "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me" (Isaiah 45:11). This suggests that God invites us to move His hand through our prayers and petitions. However, it is important to understand that prayer is not about instructing or informing God, but rather, it is an act of faith that moves Him to action.
The value of prayer is twofold. Firstly, prayer activates your faith. It is through prayer that you express your belief and trust in God, declaring, "I believe!" and "I receive!". Secondly, prayer aims your faith. As Paul taught the Philippian Church, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). By presenting your specific requests to God, you aim your faith directly at your need.
It is also important to recognize that prayer is not just about asking for things. It is about cultivating a relationship with God and aligning yourself with His heart. Through prayer, you can express your deepest desires, yearnings, and passions to God. It is a way to intimately connect with Him and experience His love, guidance, and power in your life.
In addition to prayer, intercession plays a crucial role in moving the hand of God. Intercession is the act of making requests or petitions to God on behalf of others. It is a passionate cry for lives to change and nations to be impacted. Through intercessory prayer, you can stand in the gap for others, pleading with God for their needs and desires.
Both prayer and intercession require faith. It is this faith that moves God's hand. As James 5:16 states, "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." When you pray with faith and passion, you can be assured that God hears you and will answer according to His perfect will.
Lastly, it is worth noting that prayer is not just a solitary act. The Bible encourages believers to gather together and pray. There is power in corporate prayer, and it can be a means of strengthening your relationship with God and with other believers.
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Faith and positive thoughts
Faith is a powerful force that can move God's hand and bring about positive change in our lives. It is not enough to simply believe in God; we must also have faith in His ability and willingness to answer our prayers. This faith, coupled with positive thoughts and expectations, can lead to miraculous outcomes.
The Power of Faith
According to Rev. J. Patrick Street, "Prayer moves you and me—it is faith that moves God’s hand." When we pray with faith, we activate a spiritual force that captures God's attention and prompts Him to act on our behalf. It is not the length of our prayers that matters, but the faith behind them. As the saying goes, "Faith is not believing that God can… it is knowing that He will!"
Aiming Our Faith
In the Bible, Jesus asked a blind man named Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). Bartimaeus replied specifically, "Rabbi, I want to see" (Mark 10:51). By aiming his faith precisely at his need, Bartimaeus received his sight. Likewise, when we pray, we must be specific and direct in our requests, presenting our needs and desires to God with faith and trust.
Prayer and Action
Prayer is not just about asking; it is also about listening and obeying. God reveals His will to us through prayer, and we must be willing to follow His instructions, even when they go against our logic or expectations. This obedience is an essential aspect of our relationship with God and demonstrates our faith in action.
The Impact of Positive Thoughts
Positive thoughts play a crucial role in our spiritual journey. As the saying goes, "Positive thoughts bring about positive results." When we focus on the blessings in our lives and maintain a positive mindset, we attract more blessings and abundance. On the other hand, negative thoughts can lead to negative outcomes. By cultivating a mindset of faith, gratitude, and positivity, we create the conditions for God's hand to move in our lives.
Moving God's Hand
God desires for us to work with Him, not just for Him. Through prayer and faith, we can move the hand of God and see miracles unfold in our lives. Our giving, especially when it involves sacrifice, demonstrates our trust in Him and our willingness to follow His lead. As we pray and give faithfully, God honours our requests and transforms our lives with His blessings.
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Frequently asked questions
Prayer is a way to communicate with God and activate your faith. It is not meant to instruct or inform God but to express your faith-based desires and yearnings to Him.
Faith is a powerful force that moves God to action. It is the belief and trust in God's power and willingness to answer prayers and fulfil desires.
In the Bible, Jesus asked a blind man named Bartimaeus what he wanted him to do. Bartimaeus specifically asked to be able to see, and his faith moved God to grant his request. Another example is Peter walking on water towards Jesus. He began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and doubted, but Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and caught him.
A strong prayer life involves regularly spending time with God, meditating on His word, listening to His voice, and cultivating a deep trust in Him. It is also important to have a relationship with God, understanding that He wants to work with us and that His ways are higher than our ways.
In addition to regular prayer, you can try expressing your desires and passions to God, cultivating a deep prayer passion, and being obedient to His instructions, even when it involves sacrifice or giving. Compassionate weeping is also mentioned as a powerful form of prayer that can move God.