by Jay McMullan
© 2011

You Say You Believe, Do You Really?
Part 3

I will never forget the excitement I felt as I read the passage in James chapter 5 and saw that the Bible gives hope of healing. I will also never forget how let down I felt when the pastor told me that the church didn’t believe what James had to say. Even though I didn’t get saved until I was thirteen, I believed if the Bible said something, it was true. Oh how we, as believers, should get back to that child like faith!

I am going to make a very bold statement and I am a witness to the truth of this statement every day and especially when I am around other believers. The majority of believers do not pray in faith. They pray in doubt and unbelief. It is true and if you will continue on with me, I will show you how true it is.

First, let’s talk about the prayer of faith and what it is and what it is not. The majority of the church and probably even you, who are reading this right now, has no clue what the principle doctrines of our Christian faith is as outlined in Hebrews chapter 6. Do you? Let’s take a look.

 Hebrews 6 (New Living Translation)

 1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

Paul was getting on to the Hebrews for having to teach them, once again, the basics of Christianity. I believe Paul would be so discouraged if he saw the modern church. Most churches don’t practice or even believe many of these basic tenets of faith.

1. Doctrine of repentance
2. Doctrine of faith in God
3. Doctrine of baptisms
4.Doctrine of laying on of hands
5. Doctrine of resurrection of the dead
6. Doctrine of eternal judgement

These are the very basics and most churches may believe a few but you will not find very many churches that teach or even know about all six points.

In this study, I am asking the question, “Do you pray in faith or do you pray in doubt and unbelief?” I would be willing to guess that you probably pray in doubt and unbelief.

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