Take It—By Faith

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive it. (Mark 11:24)

Give attention to the word “receive” in this verse. It is the Greek verb lambano. It means to receive, to take, to lay hold of. It is the same verb Jesus used at the Last Supper when He said, “Take, eat, this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).

Have you ever been to a party and the host comes up to you with a plate of cake and says, “Would you like some?” You say “Yes, thank you,” then simply reach out your hand to lay hold of the plate. You have received the cake. It is now yours.

That is what Jesus meant when He said, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive it.” Don’t wait and see what’s going to happen, or whether your prayer is going to be answered. No, believe that you have actually laid hold of that for which you have asked. Take it by faith. You have secured it. It is yours. The NASB reads, “Believe that you have received it.” In other words, consider it a done deal.

Just because you have not yet seen it does not mean that you have not received it. Paul tells us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Walking by faith means that you believe regardless of what your eyes or ears or mind or emotions tell you. You believe because of what God has said. In Mark 11:24, He says, “Believe you receive.”

Important life-changing note: Everything you do, say, ask or believe is to be processed through the Father’s love. For without it, nothing matters.

Whatever things you ask or desire when you pray, believe that you have laid hold of the answer. Take it — by faith.

(See also Whatever You Desire, When You Pray)