When you pray… when you speak… when you act… do you do so from a foundation of faith? hope? wishful thinking? The last one really doesn’t get us very far so I would recommend deleting it from your consideration. Are there other foundations for prayer, speech, action besides faith or hope? Confidence? Love? Shouldn’t it be all?
I would suggest that intercessory prayer as well as the prayer of agreement is definitely based in faith, hope, love, confidence – and probably more. Specifically, when we talk about intercession, this is an act that we do for others, not ourselves. standing with them, standing in the gap … Intercession, for me, has always meant lifting another person (saved and unsaved) to the Lord and seeking His answer for them. Quite often, if the person is born again, prior to interceding, I will ask them to specifically state what their need/want is so that I can stand in agreement with them because one of the most powerful prayers is the prayer of agreement.
““Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20, AMP)
I can’t think of anything stronger that this kind of threesome with the one asking for prayer, you as the intercessor, and Jesus. There is less likelihood of praying ‘incorrectly’ when the person seeking prayer is involved. And maybe that’s the clue in all our praying, speaking, acting. We don’t want the situation that James (4:3) refers to – not receiving because we ask amiss. And listening to the Lord will avert this outcome.
I believe that we need to act/pray/speak in faith, hope, love, confidence. If we don’t have understanding then we may be leading others wrong/inaccurately as well as ourselves. 2 Timothy 2: 9-16, AMP
“Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. But avoid all
irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness,”
When we are confident we are not threatened by challenge or incorrect thinking, and we speak without malice or contempt. In all actions, we should use love as our motivation and understanding as our goal. When we act in faith supported by hope and Jesus is involved, we have it all.
