Week 15 of 52 Prayers of Faith - Faith is knowing that God knows all the dark recesses of our hearts and still loves us

Faith is knowing that God knows all the dark recesses of our hearts and still loves us - Lord increase our faith

I find it interesting that we find in the very beginning of the Bible that there is sibling rivalry and murder in the first children born to Adam and Eve and by the 6th chapter we read "and that every inclination of the thoughts of their (humanity's) hearts was only evil continually." Yet already God had Jesus in mind in "God so loved the world..." that God provided away out of moral depravity.

Jesus didn't die on the cross because we were so deserving. Jesus died on the cross because we were in need of help and because God loved us so much. God loves us so much that He doesn't want to leave us in that mess. Not only has He paid for our sins, but He has made a way for us to have victory over sin. God did this because He loves us. "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. God doesn't expect us to get it together in order for us to earn is love. He loves us even while hating our sin.

Faith in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection is foundational for us as Christians. We must believe that He died for us because of our depravity not because we deserved it. His love is what empowers us to love others. His love is what draws us to Him. He doesn't love us because we sin, He loves us in spite of our sinful inclinations.

Lord, thank you for loving us in spite of the darkness in our hearts. Lord, increase our faith.

Week 13 of 52 Prayers Faith is knowing that God is more interested in our character than in our comfort

Faith is knowing that God is more interested in our character than in our comfort - Lord, increase our faith

At the end of the Beatitudes Jesus said that blessed (which really means happy) are we when people revile us and persecute us and say all kinds of horrible things about us for His Name's sake, He goes on to say, "Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven"

That may seem strange to us. We want to be liked and found acceptable, yet if we are to be counted as Kingdom citizens we have to accept that the world may not like us, in fact they may revile us. That is uncomfortable for anyone. But Christ is more interested in the state of our heart than in the condition of our bodies or our reputation in the world, but we are encouraged that their will be rewards for our diligence through persecution.

The Apostle James goes on to say that we should "count it all joy" when we are faced with various trials because we know that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness, which in turn leads us to perfection in our faith. This is character building; becoming more like our Savior as we experience some of what He did.

That is Christ's real goal - our complete redemption and maturity in the faith. If that requires that we have to made uncomfortable so that we can be more like Him, then that is okay. We need to embrace all that our life in Christ requires of us if we are to live up to His good plans for us. He doesn't expect us to do it all in our own strength. He has give us is Holy Spirit that we might live life to the full as He uses our trials to transform us more and more into his Image.

Lord, we know that you are more interested our becoming like You than in our personal comfort - Lord increase our faith!

Week 9 of 52 - Faith is knowing that Jesus Christ is the one who baptizes us with fire and the Holy Spirit

Faith is knowing that Jesus Christ is the one who baptizes us with fire and the Holy Spirit -Lord increase our faith

Again I encourage you as you embrace this prayer of faith that you weigh it in your heart, meditate upon it and even journal it. Say it out load as our brains are stubborn, they only believe what they hear. Remember your expectation is that through this meditation that God will hear and answer your prayer.

This weeks prayer is important because it embraces the supernatural side of our faith. Some times we are temped to think of Christianity as merely a philosophy. On one side it is a philosophy in that it dictates how we view the world, but on the other side it is a supernatural, life altering encounter with The God of All Creation and He doesn't want to leave us unarmed, unaware or unprepared.

The Holy Spirit is important in that He resides in every believer. He empowers the believer to do more that is humanly possible. First the Holy Spirit is a seal that says we belong to God, second, it is the Holy Spirit that grants us gifts so that we can be a blessing the family of faith. All spiritual gifts serve to help others. They are not for our personal benefit outside tongues which in one manner edifies our own spirits. Another reason we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is so that are minds can be opened to the deep spiritual things of God that are revealed in the Bible and only available to those who are reborn. He reminds us off all that the Lord Jesus has taught us when we need it and the Holy Spirit works in both believers and pre-Christians by convicting us/them of sin and righteousness.

Lord, we thank you that You baptize us with your Holy Spirit and empower us to live the life You did. Lord, increase our faith.

Week 7 of 52 Prayers of Faith - Jesus our Shepherd whose voice leads us to good places

Faith is: knowing Jesus is the Good Shepherd and following his voice - Lord increase our faith

As usual recite the prayer, meditate on the significance of it and journal what God is revealing to you by his Holy Spirit.

Jesus IS the good shepherd and He says that his sheep will not follow another shepherd because they do not recognize any other shepherd's voice. Yet in this day we are surrounded by voices all claiming that we should follow them. Some say that money is the answer, others education and still others say you should please yourself. But Jesus is the one who saved us, knowing all of our sinful inclinations and all the sins that we have committed. He also died for all the sins committed against against us, so that we don't have to live in the full consequence of our hurt and pain.

But the benefit of Christ's gift requires that we follow him. We cannot say that we believe in him and not obey him. Our obedience is the key to unlocking all that Christ has for us. When we listen to his voice and follow his ways, we live out the life He has always wanted for us. We may think that we know what's best for us, but Jesus IS the way. He is the source of everything good and right and true. Only by following his lead, going where he calls us can we really experience the new and abundant life that He promised us.

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, help us to hear and follow your voice - Lord, increase our faith.

Week 6 of 52 Prayers of Faith - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life

Faith is knowing that Jesus Christ is the only true way, truth and life; there is no other way to God the Father - Lord increase our faith

I was born in Canada, but pretty much raised in America. Here we have an independent, self-determinate kind of mentality. We think that we can do it. That is part of why America is so prosperous but there is a down side. Because of our independent nature, we all think that we know what is best for us. We think that no one else can show us what is good for us. Now I admit that I have over stated things a bit, but I think if you talk to people in other countries (as I have) you will find that there is a love-hate feeling about us. They love how prosperous we are and would like to be like us, but they hate how superior we can be when talking to others - as if our way is the only way.

When Jesus said the He is the way the truth and the life, He was saying that God has a better way. It's not the American way, its not the British way and it is most definitely not the Russian way. His way is a way that depends upon spiritual principles. And we can trust his way because He is our Creator and Savior. His ways are not the ways of capitalism or communism or even democracy. His ways are about living every day for God and with God, so that our circumstances matter less and our character matters more.

His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. We cannot confuse our expectations and reasoning for God's. In fact some of his ways seem counter intuitive. In God's economy, it is more blessed to give than to receive. In God's relationships, we always forgive and we are even empowered to love our enemies. In God's order the servant of all is the greatest not the most popular or the most powerful.

Lord, you are the way the truth and the life. Lord increase our faith


As always I encourage you to meditate on this thought and to journal it, praying/requesting that God would increase your faith.

Week 5 of 52 Prayers of Faith - The Holy Spirit

Faith is knowing Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit so that we might live for Him and by Him
Lord increase our faith

Before Christ left the earth, he promised that he would send us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes our faith super natural. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin and righteousness. He gives us supernatural gifts so that we can help one another. The Holy Spirit renews our spirit, helping us to become new creations empowered to live out the intent of The Law - Living in and walking in God's love. The Holy Spirit is also our counselor (The Paraclete). He advises us in moral choices and gives us the words to defend ourselves when accused for our faith. Christ has not left us alone, He is with us in the person of the Holy Spirit and we must take that on faith in order to receive the full benefit of that relationship.

Lord, we accept and believe that you sent us the Holy Spirit so that we can live for you and by you.
Lord Increase our Faith

52 Prayers of Faith week 4 Faith is knowing Jesus Christ is risen from the Dead

Faith is knowing Jesus Christ is risen from the dead - Lord increase our faith

As we consider our life in Christ, we must BELIEVE that Christ is risen from the dead. If he isn't risen from the grave, we have no hope. We must have faith that Christ is in fact sitting at the right hand of the Father other wise He is just another religious leader killed by the powers that be. His resurrection is our promise that we too, who are his disciples, will rise from the dead and be seated in the heavenly realms with him.

The hope of our Resurrection gives power to our faith. "Oh death where is you sting" We need no longer fear death and as a consequence can live lives free from fear. Productive lives, filled with hope and joy in the face of persecution and our soon and coming death.


As always, I encourage you to say this week's prayer out loud, to contemplate it and to journal what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you, Take this to heart and never let anyone rob you of this hope.

Christ is risen from the dead - Lord, increase our faith!

52 Prayers of faith - Week 3 Faith is knowing Jesus was crucified for our sin

Faith is knowing Jesus was crucified for our sin - Lord increase our faith

I know that this may seem redundant or even unnecessary, but when building a house you have to make sure the foundation is secure and strong. Knowing Jesus died for our sins is foundational to a Christian's faith. If Christ didn't die on the cross, then our sins can never truly be paid for. Oh we can say, "I'm sorry, please forgive me" but without Christ's blood, the full consequence of our sins cannot be expunged.

We have all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all need our sins forgiven and we need the ultimate consequence of our sins set aside. Christ's atoning sacrifice is necessary so that we can become new creations otherwise we will be sinners who are forever separated from the Love of God, without hope of restoration. We need Christ's redemptive act to bring us close to God, to once again make us children of God.

So again this week I ask that you take some time (more than once is better) and consider what it means for Christ to have died for your sins. What does it tell you about the love of God? What does this say about who you are now, in the sight of God? Consider what freedom this has given you and consider how you might live differently in the sight of God and men.

As always after you have stated the fact, "Jesus was crucified for my sins" ask that the Lord to increase your faith.

You brother in Faith,

Rev. Alan J Beckett

Faith Prayers Week Two - Faith is knowing Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God born of the Virgin Mary

Faith is knowing Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God born of the Virgin Mary  - Lord increase our faith

As we did last week. Speak the truth out loud, contemplate it, even journal it and ask God The Father, "Increase my Faith" just as the father of the epileptic child did when Jesus asked him if he believed that He could heal his child.

At first this may seem redundant in the light of last week's post but one of the things that sets Christianity apart from other religions is that our God chose to come to us in the from of a human by way of the Virgin Mary. The Gospels according to Matthew and Luke agree on this as does the Koran. His birth was a bona fide miracle. He wasn't like one of the Greek heroes who were birthed by Zeus or some other deity. God didn't create a human/god hybrid, but rather He took the form of a human zygote in womb of Mary, was born as all other humans are, but from the very beginning He was unique so much so that when Mary went to visit a close relative (Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist) the baby John still in his mother's womb responded to the present of the growing baby Jesus in Mary's womb. His birth was foretold by the prophets of old and even astrologers of the time could tell by the movement of the stars above that something remarkable was happening.

Sometimes people are tempted to downplay all of this and make Jesus just a kind man or a wise teacher. He is those things but He is not JUST those things. He is the only begotten Son of God, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life who suffered and was crucified on the cross and who was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

Jesus is either God in the flesh or He is not. If He's not then we are the people to be pitied most but if He is the one and only Son of God, Emanuel, God with us, then we must respond to that. This is where faith must take root and grow. Not other assumptions or philosophies will suffice; He is God Eternal who came to save us from our sin that we might live lives free from the penalty and the influence of sin. He died once for all, that we may too be called to sons and daughters of God.

Jesus, you are the only begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary - Lord, increase my faith.
Introductory Article

Prayers of Faith Week One -Faith is Knowing [that] God knows what’s best for us

Knowing [that] God knows what’s best for us

In order for us to say that we have faith, we have to acknowledge not only that our Creator exists but that He knows better than we do about what is best for us.  So for this year’s first prayer I am encouraging you to meditate upon this idea.  Say out loud that God knows better than you do, then sit and consider this concept and all the areas where you may think otherwise.  Ask the Lord to increase your faith, and then write down what is being revealed to you.

My thoughts on this:

(Although I must give credit to my friend Denis Goode for his sermon on this) 

Jesus asked Peter two questions when He came down from the Mountain of Transfiguration.

The First question that Peter was asked was, "Who do others say I am?"  I think this question is relevant today because it seems atheists are making a lot of stink lately trying to silence people of faith, especially followers of Jesus.  In Jesus’ time there were lots of people debating who He was.  Was he Elijah  returned?  Was He some new prophet of God or was He the Messiah - God's anointed one.

But the more important question was what Jesus asked Peter next and I believe it is still relevant to us today was,  “Who do you say I am?”  Peter responded that Jesus was the Son of God.  In other words Jesus was the Messiah sent from God for his people.  Now that was an entirely Jewish response loaded with all kinds of preconceived notions and some very specific expectations; Messiah/Conquering King who was going to kick the Romans out and make Israel a nation to be reckoned with.  Which is why shortly after this revelation from God, Jesus is rebuking Peter and saying, “Satan get behind me!” (Matt. 16:23) Peter had no room for a Messiah who was going to die.  He was sure of this and rebuked Jesus for suggesting otherwise.

We too have expectations which limit what it means for Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God.  We each have to deal with those preconceived notions.  Jesus is described as the God-Man; He is entirely God and entirely man. Many have struggled with this.  Some say He cannot be 100% both.  Either is half man half God or he is one or the other.  Many arguments have sprung from these concerns.  But for us modern Christians, we can accept this as one of the premises that define who Jesus Christ is to us.  Unless He is entirely human he cannot fully understand our struggles and if He isn't entirely God, He could not be the perfect and sinless sacrifice needed to pay for all the sins of humanity past present and future.

This is the tension that we need to hold Christ in, in our understanding of him.  We don’t want him so human as to see him wallowing in and approving of our sins and yet we do not want him so Holy as to be unapproachable.  It is a paradox of sorts.  He is holy and perfect, yet He lived among us a human being - as one of us.  He is both our Savior who lives in unapproachable light and He is the one who lives in our hearts and whom we strive to live like so that we too can be called Christians (little Christs).  

So as you ponder this point this week,remember that his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts, but He has made a way that we can become more and more like him as we seek his ways though the Word of God and in the power of The Holy Spirit.

Lord, you know better than we do - Lord increase our faith.

Introduction to The Prayers of Faith

On one of my other Blogs, I recently posted a list of 52 prayers that I believe will help us in growing our faith and in walking out that faith day to day.  My hope is that this year (and maybe in subsequent years) we may be able to examine these prayers and expand upon them and what they mean to us.  So God willing, we will join in a journey of faith that will takes us to new heights in our pray walk and that this will help us to root out unbelief and see true spiritual growth.  That is my hope, so please be praying that I will be able to stay with this for the next 52 weeks (starting the first week in January of 2015).

The following is from the previous post and you should consider it both as a map as to where we are going but also as instruction in how we might carry out these new insights into living with and for God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith comes with the hearing the Word of God (knowledge) but it doesn't stop there.  First we know about God, but as time goes on our faith leads us to knowing Him personally.  That knowledge doesn't leave us where we are, but transforms us and changes the way we view the world and how we interact with it.  Faith changes how we act and how we treat others; without transformation there is no evidence of faith, there is only dead words and dead works.

The following was inspired by a post on Facebook that encouraged me to write a responsive prayer.  I pray that this prayer leads you from mere knowledge about God to living for Him and to living by his principles.  Real faith is carried out not just in the mind or the heart but once it has taken root in our hearts is is carried out by our actions; it becomes our life.   Faith must bear fruit in due season.

Instructions: There are 52 individual prayers so you can use it for a devotion for the next year.  Read each line aloud stopping at the hyphen contemplate the meaning of the words then read aloud “Lord, increase our faith!”  I encourage you to journal each of these points as Christ works in your heart by his Holy Spirit to increase your faith.  Write out what the Spirit is saying to you and make a plan of action for how you are going to petition God for help in this area and what you want to change about your attitude and actions that currently doesn't reflect living as a new creation in Christ.  As you read God’s Word, I also encourage you to write your own prayers as the Holy Spirit convicts you of areas that are not fully conformed to His will for you.  Feel free to reword the prayer if any line seems awkward to you.

I would also encourage you to ask yourself how knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has changed your life.  I pray that you will have a holy dissatisfaction that will cause you to draw closer to the true source of faith and life which is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Faith is:

1. knowing God knows what’s best for us - Lord increase our faith
2. knowing Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God born of the Virgin Mary - Lord increase our faith
3. knowing Jesus was crucified for our sin - Lord increase our faith
4. knowing Jesus Christ is risen from the dead - Lord increase our faith
5. knowing Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit so that we might live for Him and by Him - Lord increase our faith
6. knowing that Jesus Christ is the only true way, truth and life; there is no other way to God the Father - Lord increase our faith
7. knowing Jesus is the Good Shepherd and following his voice - Lord increase our faith
8. knowing that Jesus Christ is our soon and coming King - Lord increase our faith
9. knowing that Jesus Christ is the one who baptizes us with fire and the Holy Spirit - Lord increase our faith
10. knowing that Jesus Christ is our Healer - Lord increase our faith
11. knowing that the circumstances and people God allows in our life help us to become more like Him - Lord increase our faith
12. knowing that trials and temptations can only make us stronger if we trust in Him - Lord increase our faith
13. knowing that God is more interested in our character than in our comfort - Lord, increase our faith
14. knowing that Christianity is not merely a philosophy but rather a supernatural relationship with the Creator of Eternity - Lord increase our faith
15. knowing that God knows all the dark recesses of our hearts and still loves us - Lord increase our faith
16. knowing that the Love of God transcends all things - Lord, increase our faith
17. knowing that nothing can separate us from the Love of God - Lord increase our faith
18. knowing that we are incompetent in and of ourselves but God still uses us - Lord increase our faith
19. realizing there is nothing good in us apart from Christ - Lord increase our faith
20. receiving Christ supernaturally in the communion elements - Lord increase our faith
21. loving God with all our heart, mind, strength and soul - Lord increase our faith
22. seeking first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness - Lord increase our faith
23. always forgiving others because, in Christ, God has forgiven us - Lord increase our faith
24. worshiping God with our whole being; body, mind, and soul - Lord increase our faith
25. faith is seeing others as created in God’s image - Lord, increase our faith.
26. loving the unlovable because God first loved us - Lord, increase our faith
27. caring for the widow and the orphan - Lord increase our faith
28. growing in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - Lord increase our faith
29. suffering for righteousness sake - Lord increase our faith
30. being condemned by the world while still living by the Law of Love - Lord increase our faith
31. living out the good works that God has foreordained for us to do - Lord increase our faith
32. not becoming tired of doing good - Lord increase our faith
33. not judging our or others' success by transitory worldly standards like wealth, popularity or physical appearance - Lord increase our faith
34. being ministers of reconciliation - Lord increase our faith
35. becoming slaves to Christ - Lord increase our faith
36. being freed from the fear of man - Lord increase our faith
37. giving up the right to avenge being wronged - Lord increase our faith
38. dying to self, that we might live for Christ - - Lord increase our faith
39. taking up our cross daily - Lord increase our faith
40. giving up our perceived rights yet defending others’ - Lord increase our faith
41. suffering abuse, while refusing to abuse others - Lord increase our faith
42. proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those perishing - Lord increase our faith
43. giving water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked and visiting the prisoner -Lord increase our faith
44. living by the Spirit and not by the letter of the law - Lord increase our faith
45. respecting our parents and elders - Lord increase our faith
46. seeing that our real adversaries are not human but rather spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms - Lord increase our faith
47. not complaining about others but rather giving thanks in all things - Lord increase our faith
48. blessing those who curse us - Lord increase our faith
49. using our spiritual gifts to build up others - Lord increase our faith
50. realizing that its not all about us - Lord increase our faith
51. allowing ourselves to decrease that He might increase - Lord increase our faith
52. considering others before ourselves - Lord increase our faith