When You Should ASK and When You Should SPEAK IN FAITH, aka DEMAND
Christ spoke of both speaking in faith and asking for things in prayer in the same breath:
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)
There was a mountain nearby and the Messiah spoke of it in a figurative sense, as if it were an obstacle or hindrance in one’s life. Jesus said that you can speak to such an obstacle by faith and what you speak will come to pass, assuming you believe.
NOTE that Christ mentions speaking three times and faith (belief) once. In other words, if you’re having trouble believing for something then keep speaking in faith and it will have positive impact on your belief since words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21 & Matthew 12:37). You can learn more here.
After talking about speaking in faith, the Lord goes right into the topic of asking for things in prayer, which is petition. While the two are different they’re obviously somewhat linked. They’re both forms of spiritual warfare or prayer, but one involves speaking in belief in the sense of demanding something by faith and the other involves requesting. So when should you speak in faith (demand) for something and when should you ask for it? The answer lies in comparing a couple of statements by Jesus in the Gospel of John:
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works [miracles] themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
John 14:11-14
“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
John 16:23-24
In both of these passages Christ is talking about asking for things. The same Greek word is used in both verses, as well as Mark 11:24 above, which is aiteó (eye-TAY-oh). This word can mean ask in the sense of making a request, yet it can also mean demand in the sense of speaking in faith. The context will determine the proper meaning.
For instance, in the first passage, John 14:11-14, the Lord was talking about performing “works,” aka miracles, and says that believers will do these same works — and even greater works — because he was going to be resurrected and sit at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (Acts 2:33). As such, he was talking about speaking in faith — demanding — in order to receive a miracle. A few examples in the New Testament include when Christ commanded the paralyzed man to get up and walk home (Matthew 9:6-8) and another occasion with an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:8), as well as Peter’s similar miracle concerning a lame man at the Temple gate (Acts 3:6).
A miraculous healing in my own life required speaking in faith. I needed knee surgery in 2013, but didn’t want to go that radical route for understandable reasons. So Carol & I prayed over my knee every day, speaking in faith for a healing. It took about three months, but the healing manifested and I was out skiing slopes in New York the following winter. This shows that sometimes perseverance is necessary in order to receive the miracle for which you’re speaking in faith; and not just to receive your healing, but to maintain it as well (Hebrews 6:12). For details see this video.
I was simply speaking in faith as Jesus instructed in Mark 11:23 — and adding perseverance — whereas Jesus and Peter in the above three examples were presumably operating in the gifts of the Spirit; nevertheless, both methods require speaking in faith, aka demanding the miracle in question.
When there’s a need for a healing miracle you don’t ask since healing is an important part of the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 2:24); and it is God’s will that the person be healed. How can I say that with certainty? Because Christ was Immanuel — “God is with us (in the flesh)” (Matthew 1:23) — and so what the Messiah did during his ministry on Earth reveals God’s will to us. For instance, people needing serious healings would approach Jesus and ask “if you are willing.” The Lord never responded “No, it is not my will”; rather he plainly said it was his will (Mark 1:40-41 & Matthew 8:1-3).
I repeat, healing is part of the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 2:24), which is one of several reasons why it’s “good news.” The Bible promises a minimum of 70-80 years of life (Psalm 90:10) so, if you’re under that age, you can claim this promise by faith (2 Corinthians 1:20). Even if you’re over 80 you can believe and receive in faith in your awesome covenant with God simply based on your righteous desire (Mark 11:24, John 14:14, John 16:24).
Chew on these Scriptures (Matthew 4:4) and you’ll have increasing insight on when to ask for something in prayer petition and when to speak in faith for a miracle; always be led of the Spirit (John 14:26 & Romans 8:14). Amen.
Related Topics:
When You should Pray “If it be Your Will” and When Not to
Should I get the Surgery or BELIEVE for Healing?
Faith — What Is It? Why Is It Important? How Does It Grow?
Spiritual Warfare — The Basics
Spiritual Warfare — Do You know What You’re Fighting For?
What are the Nine Gifts of the Spirit?
If Healing Comes by Faith, Why Use Anointing Oil, Handkerchiefs, etc.?
Praise & Worship—What’s the Difference? Why are they Important?
Provision, Money and “Prosperity”
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