"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:23-24)
This very familiar scripture has to do with praying in faith, or praying to get results. The most important thing for you to remember about praying accurately is to go to the Word of God, find out what the Word says about the problem and then pray according to that Word.
First John 5:14-15 says when we ask anything according to His will, we know He hears us and we know we have the petitions we desired of Him. When you pray according to God's Word, which is His will, then you know that your prayer is answered.
Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23). When you use the Name of Jesus in prayer, you get the ear of God.
Peter wrote that the eyes of God are over the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers. You don't have to pray until you get God's attention. He is listening for your prayer. You have His attention all the time.
When you pray according to Mark 11:23-24, you believe you receive when you pray. This opens the door for thanksgiving and praise. Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Thanksgiving and praise are an integral part of prayer. When you believe you receive, then you begin to praise God for the answer. You thank God that it is done for you.
Thanksgiving and praise involve more than just speaking lovely words to God. There is power in the praise of God. Praise was ordained by God for a definite reason. It serves a purpose.
Psalms 8 and 9 point out some things about praise that every believer should know. Psalm 8:1-2 says, "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." Jesus quoted that passage in Matthew 21:16: "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." He equates praise with strength.
From these scriptures, we see that God brought praise into existence. He ordained it. Why? "Because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." Praise stops Satan right in his tracks. It is a weapon we are to use in calling a halt to Satan's maneuvers. Psalm 9 says: "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou siteth in the throne judging right" (vv. 1-4).
When your enemies are turned back...not if. There is no question about it. Remember: We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Satan's forces. When you praise God, your enemies have to turn back. They will fall and perish at your presence. You can see why praise is so important in the life of a believer. It is a vital weapon in your warfare against Satan and his forces.
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries