When people today discuss prayer, they often throw in apologies for God, excuses for why prayers may not work. Some, like Job’s friends, even “speak falsely for God” in their rush to defend Him (Job 13:7). They, and we all, need to trust that Jesus knows how to choose His words. His promises are straightforward and bold, anything but watered down. We can know without reservation that our Father’s answers are always positive in the final outcome. Jesus is God’s guarantee that He keeps all His promises.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in Him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:19-20).
That “Yes” applied to His promises through patriarchs and prophets. That “Yes” applies equally to His amazing promises about prayer. So sure is His “Yes” that He tells us to think of our requests as already granted. “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). He also warns us not to give way to doubts and worries (Mark 11:23 cf. Matthew 6:25-34; 21:21; Romans 4:20; James 1:6).
The early disciples came to believe this, and their world was turned upside down! Their mountains were moved! The promises of prayer were true then, and they hold just as true today. It is high time for us to meet the challenges before us with all the courage and drive that answered prayer inspires!