PRAYING & BEING RIGHTEOUS ALONE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR FAITH

Luke 1: 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

We know the story about the birth of John the Baptist. If we read Luke chapter 1:6, it says, Zechariah and his wife both were upright and blameless before God.  And further in this chapter it states that Zechariah was filled with the Holy spirit and prophesied. It’s evident that Zechariah was righteous and holy man. Also, He was praying for a child, that is why the angel said to Zechariah in Luke 1:13, your prayer has been heard.

But when God wanted to bless him with child as an answer to his prayer, he did not believe it, he was doubting God’s ability because he and his wife were advanced in years. So, God shut his mouth for about ten months so that he will not spoil the blessing by talking disbelief.

Today many of us are leading a holy life which pleases God and we sincerely pray for our needs. But when God answering our prayer, are we ready to believe it? Are we ready to believe that nothing is impossible to God? If we cannot believe we our self might be a hindrance to the answer of our prayers. Leading a holy life and praying for the need alone may not bring the blessing, we need faith to bring it. If we cannot have faith, at least, we should shut our mouth when God is doing something for us.