Prayer works, howevis er many people don’t see their prayers answered consistently and don’t even expect to.

But,

that’s contrary to the way Jesus lived His life on earth and it’s contrary to how He —————- lowers to live. He taught them to live a lifestyle of faith and prayer and to expect results.

Matthew 21:18-22 says: Now in the morning as He returned into the city, he hungered. And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, verily I say unto you, if you have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Notice that when Jesus was answering their questions about the fig tree withering, He was answering their questions about something literal, He wasn’t just referring to something spiritual.

So, speaking to the mountain, asking in prayer and believing to receive, work not only in the spiritual realm, but also in the physical, material realm.

When Jesus spoke to the fig tree He was demonstrating and teaching us that by using our faith, the word of God and prayer, we too can bring circumstances in line with God’s will.

When you pray do you expect results every time? You should and you can. Here are some steps that can help make this a reality.

1. Base every prayer on the word. Prayer that brings results must be based on the word of God. So, start with the answer, which is the word. Jesus said in John 15:7: If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you win, and it shall be done unto you.

For prayer to bring results you must pray specifically. That means you must find scripture that applies to your situation, and base your prayer on those scriptures.

For example, if you’re facing sickness, find scriptures that pertain to healing. Your prayer can be based on 1 Peter 2:24 because that scrip-

See PASTOR BYRD, page 5 ture says: By whose stripes you were healed.

When you have God’s word about a particular issue, you have a foundation on which to believe Him. And when you put God’s word in your spirit, it feeds your faith.

Romans 10:17 says: So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

2. Apply your faith. Once you find scriptures that reveal God’s will concerning the situation you’re facing, here’s the next step. You must apply your faith to the problem.

To apply your faith, say what you believe, speak in agreement with God’s word.

Confess the word out loud and start thanking God that you have what He said you have.

Act as though you received it, as though it’s already done.

In Isaiah 43:26 God says: Put me in remembrance, let us plead together, declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

To put God in remembrance of His word and declare your case, say something like this: Lord, right now I believe I receive what you have said in your word. Believe (quote scriptures you’re standing on). I’m not saying it because I believe your word. I believe it’s done in Jesus’ name.

To be afraid to confess and act as though it’s already done is to doubt God’s word, so hold fast your confession.