This prayer of Jesus before He raised Lazarus from the dead should be our model prayer. The faith of Jesus is so profound, but we, like the disciples after the ascension, must grab hold of God's promises like Jesus did here. He thanked God for the thing He has not received yet. This is the faith of Jesus mentioned in revelation:14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." This is the faith we as Christians must have to be saved by grace through FAITH. Just to say a few words and say we "believe" is by far not enough. The word belief is used in conjunction with faith throughout the new testament. To say we "believe" means much more than any concordance, or dictionary will define. To say we "believe" means we will obey, follow, and know that when I ask for something God will supply it, but we are not to stop there satisfied without the substance of what we ask for. We are to go on our daily way knowing that what we asked for He has already given it. Like when Peter walked on the water. His faith grasped hold of Jesus and knew he would be able to do it, that is until he took His eyes off Jesus and sank. After reading this prayer over and over for many years I must admit that I need more faith. We all need to pray for each other that we receive the faith we need for victory over every temptation and besetment that comes our way and God, who cannot lie will provide it.
Joh:11:41-44: "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
God bless you all
Joh:11:41-44: "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
God bless you all
