“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing Psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. – James 5:13-16
LIGHT FOR NOW: In your understanding of the prayer of faith, a comprehension of the word “hope” is critical.
We said that hope is part of our spiritual life; hence, the believer has hope. Hope is part of the faith life. So;
• I must have an expectation;
• I must develop an expectation;
• I must also use it.
Romans 5:4-5 “And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”. Notice “…and hope (expectation) makes not ashamed…” Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death”. Romans 4:18 “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be”. Abraham had an expectation and believed in that expectation. He knew how to use it. When the word of God comes to me, there must be an expectation. When I hear God’s word on healing, the believers’ authority on the works of ministry or on victory in Christ, the word of God stirs up an expectation in me. “…so I can be healed…” “…so I have the believers’ authority…” “…I am an able minister of the gospel…” There is an expectation once we hear God’s word. “Hope” is what we expect. Let us draw near with a full assurance of hope. Hope precedes faith; there must be an expectation. What exactly do you desire? What exactly do you want? What exactly are you expecting to happen? Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Don’t be without expectations.
CONFESSION: I have an expectation; I choose to use my expectations. I have hope because I have faith. I received the gift of faith at salvation. I expect results when I pray, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
QUOTE: Hope precedes faith.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ROMANS CHAPTER 5; EVENING: PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 1
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 