Operating in Faith – 3 Essentials elements

1.Discern God’s will

2. Pray specifically for what you hope for

3. Keep asking

Discerning God’s will

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Discerning God’s will

Because God honors our choices and desires our unforced love, He does not overpower or coerce us. "He may long to come in and help, but he will never cross the picket line of our unwillingness" He speaks to us in a subtle voice, and we may be unable to hear Him when there are too many distractions in our lives. The voices of selfish desires, lack of submission, pride, independence, and unforgiveness prevent us from being receptive to the quiet voice of God.

James Jauncey

Discerning God’s will

Most times, I believe, God guides in subtle ways, by feeding ideas into our minds, speaking through a nagging sensation of dissatisfaction, inspiring us to choose better than we otherwise would have done, bringing to the surface hidden dangers of temptation, and perhaps by rearranging certain circumstances. . . . God's guidance will supply real help, but in ways that will not overwhelm my freedom."

Phillip Yancey

Operating in Faith – 3 Essentials elements

1.Discern God’s will

2. Pray specifically for what you hope for

3. Keep asking

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1

Two blind men were sitting beside the road… They began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”…When Jesus heard them, he called, “What do you want me to do for you?”“Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see!

Matthew 20:30-33

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:6-8

Operating in Faith – 3 Essentials elements

1.Discern God’s will

2. Pray specifically for what you hope for

3. Keep asking

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

Luke 11:5 - 8

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9 - 10

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:11-13