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Ask in Faith, Expect an Answer!

CBN TEACHING SHEETS

By CBN.com

CBN.com Five Faith-Building Steps To A Powerful Prayer Life

1. Endure: Don't lose heart. Keep praising God for His goodness. (James 1:1-4)

James encourages us to "consider it all joy" when we encounter trials that test our faith. That may sounddifficult. But as we endure these trials, pressing on in faith and believing God has our best interests at heart,we will emerge from the experience "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Often, God allows us to gothrough difficult challenges because those very experiences shape us to receive the answer He has already

prepared. Even in the midst of pain, if we can press on -- praying, standing on His Word, believing Hispromises -- we will see His goodness bring us to a better place.

2. Stop worrying: Ask God for wisdom concerning your situation. (James 1:5)

God gives wisdom to everyone who asks Him. He gives it generously. He doesn't think any less of us forasking. In fact, He loves it when we come to Him with our concerns. But the catch is, we have to ask forwisdom to get it. Too many of us reason out problems and come up with solutions on our own -- coming toGod only as a last resort. God tells us in Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell yougreat and mighty things, which you do not know." If we come to Him as soon as we encounter difficulties, Hepromises to give us His perspective on our situation. He can show us ways to deal with our trials that maynever have occurred to us.

3. Deal with doubt: Come to God in faith -- and expect an answer! (James 1:6-8)

When you ask God for help, remember that He is faithful. When Jesus invited Peter to walk with Him on thewater, Peter was able to do it -- as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and focused on his circumstances --looking at the waves around him and the water beneath him, he sank. When you ask God for help, focus onHis Word and what He is speaking to your heart to believe for, rather than letting your faith be determined byyour situation.

4 Remember: God is not limited by your circumstances. (James 1:9-11)

By the world's standards, wealthy people have the greatest range of opportunities because they have theresources to make their dreams come true. They can afford the best the world has to offer, and can gainpower and influence through their wealth. In contrast, God is not impressed by a person's wealth, but ratherby our willingness to believe Him and by obedience in what He has told us to do. If we are rich in faith, thereare no limits to what God can accomplish through us!

5 Persevere: Keep your eyes on God, and thank Him for the victory! (James 1:12)

Through persevering in prayer in each trying situation, praising God and believing in His goodness, we willbuild the character we need in order to receive all that God has for us without being overwhelmed. And eachsituation we emerge from in triumph is a small picture of the victory that awaits all believers someday whenwe receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him!

Scripture references are taken form the New American Standard translation of the Bible

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