#48 “Identifying Barrier: To Answered Prayer!” 

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love,

but the greatest of these is love”

1 Corinthians 13:13

New International Version (NIV) 

Now let’s look at another big barrier to answered prayer.  That is “basing your expectation on “Hope instead of having genuine Faith” we are going to cover some of the reason why “Hoping” instead of having genuine “Faith” can block God’s plans for your answering your prayer. First let’s look at how the bible defines “Hope – fulfillment of future promises!” How does this differ from “Faith.” What happens when our expectations are not based on biblical faith but rather wishful thinking?  We often in the beginning of our walk with the Lord we are still learning what faith is and we tend to get the two confused. 

Our opening scripture says, “and now these three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is Love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 Faith then can be described –“belief, or confidence or convection or assurance.” Hope is then best described as “expectation or confidence.” Now Hope which is based on biblical principles is confident anticipation of an ultimate fulfillment of faith.  Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with hope, but when it is not based on the word of God it often just wishful thinking. This is why so many people become discourage when they don’t receive what they wanted.  They start to believe prayer doesn’t work because they didn’t receive.  

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” Hebrew 6:19. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13  when we base our hope on God’s word we have an anchor something to grip and hold onto. This is why our joy is overflowing, we’re rejoicing because our eyes are fixed on God’s promises in the word.  It is very important not to get into trouble by misapplying this kind of hope. We must understand that there are blessings we are to receive now and then some we will receive much later in the future. The father wants to bless us today and tomorrow everyday all day.

But let’s talk about that kind of hope that is not hope at all but wishful thinking, plain and simple. This kind of hope is really based on doubt and uncertainty.  One is Lord I know that you are going to save my children and I’m hoping of that day or anticipating that day. The other is “boy I sure hope God will save my children, because they sure need it.  Or I sure hope this will happen or that will come. This is not faith or hope, but doubt disguised to look like we’re trusting God, but we are not.  

Let’s put it this way, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” real faith continues to speak tha answer until it’s manifested. Stop thinking that if it doesn’t come right away that if will not happen. Remember how I told you that I prayed and believed God for fifteen years for my son to be set free from prison. During that course of time there were many things that challenged my faith, and once it was my son himself. But if would not be moved, because God had promised me He would come home, and that was all there was to it. I would not be moved; by circumstances or situation not even what I heard or saw because God had promised me He was coming home. Every day I looked for him to walk up to the door and knock. Or for him to call and say come pick me up! This was hope based on God’s word not presumption!. What is it that you are believing God for?  Then get some bull-dog faith and don’t let go until you see it manifested! 

My Prayer: Father I thank you that your never fail and your word will never fail. As we stand on your word cause our faith to become sound. Give us strength and stamina to endure the wait and the attacks of the enemy against our faith. We will not waver or doubt but will stand firm on your word of truth. In Jesus name Amen!

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

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