Learning How to Pray Effectively in 59 Seconds or Less (Part 5)

We all received beginners’ lumps of faith for our lives at salvation. The lumps we received were uniquely ours, especially assigned to us by God. Like the muscles on newborn babies, our beginners’ lumps of faith were undeveloped and lacked strength.

A car salesman friend told about being a new Christian and going on a honeymoon trip with his young bride. One morning, he and his wife walked outside their motel and noticed the car’s rear tire was flat. He had recently listened to some faith teachings so he figured this was the perfect moment to practice what he had learned.

“In Jesus’ name, I command that tire to air up. Judy, let’s go to town,” he said.

His wife looked at him. “What?”

“Yes, sweetheart, we walk by faith and not by sight.”

She climbed into the car and the couple took off for the nearby town, but before long, the couple stopped and changed the tire.

“Larry,” said my friend, “remember to walk by faith but keep a car jack handy, just in case.”

We both laughed at his experience.

A couple of years later, I heard an evangelist relate a story about four seventy-year old women from his church.

“The four gals took off for Mexico to preach the gospel on street corners. Their car was old and not in very good shape, but they were not worried in the least because God told them to go.”

He laughed and then continued. “Just on the other side of the border, they heard a bang. They stopped and one sister jumped out. A tire was flat. She said, ‘In Jesus’ name, I command the tire to be healed.’ She jumped back in the car. They drove off down the road and had no more problems.”

The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. (Mark 4:28)

Our faith is like a seed of corn planted in the earth. It needs light and water to grow, but it still has to go through various seasons before it produces fruit.

So, don’t give up if you are in an early season of faith growth. Just keep on praying and believing. Maybe one day soon that tire will air up for you, too.

(Continued in Part 6)