Have you ever wondered what people are talking about when they say," Have Faith"?  Basically they are telling you to believe in something you can not see at that moment, yet believing that it will happen! This may not seem like something you can do, but it is, and you can. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead then you already have faith whether you realize it or not. You did not see Christ crucified, you did not see Him rise from the dead but you believe it.  Faith is believing in something, even if you can not see physical proof of it at the moment! When the weather man tells you a hurricane, earthquake, or tornado is coming to your area you may not see any proof of it when you see it on the news or hear it on the radio. Maybe the sun is shining and it's a beautiful day where you live but the weather news says something bad is coming your way and you automatically make preparations for whatever lies ahead because you believe the weather warning, even if you cannot see proof of it at the moment. That is the same way faith works. When you pray asking the Lord for something like your health, the health of a loved one or friend, financial help, finding a home, or whatever it is you are asking God for, you have to believe, that the Lord can and will provide for your needs. In some, cases God expects a bit more from you. For example, you can fast and pray all day asking God for a job but if you don't make any effort to find a job, you most likely won't get one and it's not God's fault because "Faith without works is dead." Of course, there is always the possibility of a miracle, someone may knock on your door and offer you a job, (you never know-it has been known to happen) but if you are really trying to get your prayers answered make sure they are not selfish prayers and be ready to put in the effort. For another example, if you have plenty of food and you meet someone who has little or no food and you decide to pray with the poor person to get food, from God, be prepared to do the work. If you have money to buy them some food then do it and be the answer to their prayers. If you don't have the money to help them then you should share what you do have. If you do not have any you can spare or any way to help the other person maybe you can call someone else that may be able to help them. 

• James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
• James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
• James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
• James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
• James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
• James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
• James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

​One of the biggest problems people have with getting their prayers answered is a lack of faith. To often, I hear people who say they believe in Jesus, believe He died on the cross and rose from the dead but when it comes to really answering prayers, communicating with them, or doing anything to help them in their every day lives, well, then they don't have too much faith, they don't believe He has that kind of power. Jesus can influence people to help people who need help but if the person He is trying to influence doesn't recognize His voice or urging's then the person He is trying to help may do without.  This is why it is so important to keep in constant contact with God. 
It does not take a whole lot of faith, just a tiny amount, about the size of a mustard seed. Have you ever seen how tiny a mustard seed is? It seems like anyone could come up with that amount of faith but you would be surprised at how many people don't even try to have faith in the Lord. Just a tiny amount of faith can do huge miracles.

• And Jesus said unto them, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain. Remove hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matt. 17:20

So when you really need your prayers answered and you need the most power you will need to fast and pray. Keep in mind also, that just when you start getting your faith worked up real good, satan is going to try to make you doubt God, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself by putting on the full armor of God. Use your faith as a shield. Memorize Bible verses and use them like a sword, to help you reverse any negative thinking. Don't allow worry, doubt, fear, or anger have place in your thoughts, keep your thoughts on the power that the Lord has and keep in mind that His Holy Spirit lives inside of you to guide you.  Bottom line-work with God not against Him.
There is strength in numbers. 
​If you need your prayers answered, get other people with strong faith to pray with you. If someone asks you to pray for them do so, with all your heart, do it right then and pray with them. It does not matter where you are or what you are doing. If possible stop what you are doing and pray right then. If you are someplace where you cannot stop what you are doing, then pray silently right then and as soon as possible join with this person in fellowship whether it be in person or a video chat or a chat message, take the time out to pray with those in need of prayer.  

• ​Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
• Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Faith is believing in something even though you can not see proof of it right at the moment. 
When we ask something of the Lord we have to have Faith that He will do as we ask. We must believe in His power even though we may not see it right then. 
If you want the Lord to answer your prayers you must have faith and you must give the problem to Him. 
Example: When you give a gift or possession to someone else the item belongs to that person right? Well the same thing works with God! As long as you do not give it (your problems, your life, etc.) to Him and you keep holding onto it then it does not belong to Him. The problem still belongs to you, so that means it's your problem to solve, not Gods. Give your cares, worries and problems to Him and do not worry about them anymore. Once your problem becomes God's problem you can have faith that He will take care of it.
​Things we can see are temporary. It is important to look at the unseen things of God

• While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

Believing that the things you hope for can happen because of your belief in unseen things. God the Father, Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit

• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

​If you want to make sure you have enough faith, you must pray,  pray with others, study, and even fast if you are asking for something big. It does not take a whole lot of faith...but you have to have faith, really believe in the power of God, or it will not happen.

FYF Part 8: Words of Faith

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Memory Verse: ​And Jesus said unto them, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain. Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:20

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