Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 | NIV84

I have discovered that I pray three different ways. One is I just pray. Meaning, I pray just because I said I would. Two is I pray, but I don’t really want what I am asking God for. I’m being honest here. Three is I pray in faith. Prayers offered in faith are most definitely answered and it seems they are answered every time. So, why don’t I pray in faith every time? What makes a prayer done in faith different than a prayer just prayed?

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 | NIV84

Faith. Hope. Love. These three things are spiritual and the Bible says that the greatest of them all is Love. That’s interesting. One would think faith would be the greatest because with faith many things can be accomplished, but Scripture says that’s not as important. The greatest is Love. Why is that?

God is love. 1 John 4:16b | NIV84

Well, Scripture says that God is Love. So God is greater than faith and He is greater than hope. When you give your life to Jesus, He fills you with His Spirit and you become a person of Love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16c | NIV84

Love drives everything we do… or the lack there of. When you pray, no matter what kind of prayer you are offering, whether it be one filled with selfishness or one with love, the drive comes from the motive of your heart. This is why, sometimes, when you pray your prayers are actually selfish.

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3 | NIV84

When you pray, the motive of your heart must be pure. But, what makes a motive pure? A pure motive is when you selflessly ask for what would be the best thing for someone else… even if it is something you really don’t desire for that person you’re praying for. We need to put other people above our own desires… even when we pray and when we pray, we need to pray in Love. God is Love and no selfishness lives in Him whatsoever. He is all about the other person so therefore, we need to strive in that direction.

When we pray in Love, hope abounds and then so does faith. The three work in unison and I believe that’s when our prayers are answered.

I have wondered what the purpose of prayer actually is. After all, we have an Intercessor, the greatest Prayer Warrior, who is at this very moment, is interceding on our behalf before the Father. Jesus’ prayers are WAY more powerful than mine will ever be, so what is the purpose of prayer then, really, if He is already praying? Why pray at all?

Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34 | NIV84

I believe one of the purposes of prayer is to help purify the heart of the one who prays. What I mean by that is, when you pray the motive of your heart is exposed through your words and conscience. When you bow your head before the Living God, His Holy Spirit examines your heart and if you are willing to receive the truth, He reveals to you the motives of your heart. It is at this moment you need to decide what you will do with what God has shown you. You can choose to ignore Him or listen to Him, to follow the flesh or follow the Spirit. If you submit to Him, God will then drive the motive of your heart to love above all else and to offer yourself on the behalf of another person. When you do such a thing, Love grows in you and God’s Spirit shines through. The result is a closer, more intimate relationship with the Lord God. The result is a more humble man or woman of faith. Prayer draws one’s true motives to the surface and allows an opportunity for you to become selfless in seeking the good in other’s lives. There is a reason why Scripture says one should pray. There is a deep purpose for it.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 | NIV84

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 | NIV84 (underlines mine)

I have prayed with impure motives and I have not prayed because my own selfish desires got in the way of what was truly right. I’m sorry, but this is true… I just haven’t seen it until now. This is very humbling for me to admit, but I must expose the darkness that clouds over the Love I am called to have. I’m guessing, I could be wrong, that I’m not alone in this since all of us have a tendency to be inherently selfish and that’s why I share honestly with you. Maybe you have done the same thing too and you haven’t recognized it either.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Luke 22:42-43 | NIV84

When you lay down your life honestly before the Father and submit your will to His, He will strengthen you to do the right thing.

I believe when all three spiritual things, faith, hope & love, work in unison, God moves. I need to empty myself of myself so I may be filled with Love, so I can pray more effectively, so I can grow closer to Jesus and bring others along with me. Will you join me?

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b | NIV84