"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Jesus encourages the disciples to have faith in God. This kind of faith has a quality of surrender and confidence that comes from a growing relationship with God that listens to His voice and responds to Him. Jesus wants us to ask in prayer with faith and confidence. There are times when answers to our prayers may be delayed or not answered in the way we think, but the important thing is to keep coming to God and seeking His will in all things.

An important ingredient in effective prayer is the call to forgive those who have wronged us. Something of heaven’s blessing is hindered when we are not able to forgive the people in our lives. God’s promise of forgiveness is released and given freely as we freely forgive the people who have wronged us. The Psalms remind us that if we regard iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear us. We must make sure that we are dealing with the sin in our lives so that we have an open and unhindered relationship with God.

As I read these words, I am reminded about how important it is to not allow any harbored unforgiveness to linger in my heart. I find myself doing a heart check on the past and people who have wronged me in the past. I find that it is redemptive and freeing to once again acknowledge God’s grace and extend grace and forgiveness to people who have wronged me. Sometimes forgiveness is a process, but as we choose to forgive, this begins the process of healing and the full benefits of forgiveness.

I am inspired by the words of Jesus to keep stepping up my faith and allow Him to stretch my faith in asking Him for great miracles and breakthroughs in people’s lives. I need to keep praying with confidence and with the help of the Holy Spirit each day.

Father God, thank You for challenging me to be a man of prayer. I want to be a man of confident faith and powerful prayer. Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit that I may pray with confidence and with discernment. I pray for our nation as we approach the national and local election. Let your will be done in all things. I trust that You will move on the hearts of people in this country to elect the person who is to be our next president. I know that regardless of who is in the White House that you will be faithful to accomplish your eternal purposes. But I do pray that You would raise up people in our government who will speak boldly for You and for values that are Biblical and eternal.