FRIENDS UNDER ATTACK
“Stir Up Your Faith”

               What do we do when we hear that our friends are under attack? Whether spirit, soul, or body, we know they need our prayers.
               Sometimes we feel weak and helpless to pray. Other times we feel strong. What makes the difference? We want to help because our nature is like our Heaven Father. We desire good, not evil, in every situation. We desire victory; never defeat. We desire power; not weakness. We desire health; not sickness. We desire wholeness; not lack. We desire to encourage and give the Words of Life; not death and despair.
               Let’s remember that we are a trinity within ourselves. God has created us as a three-part being: spirit, soul, and body. He desires that all parts remain healthy and whole.
               Our spirit is Christ’s first concern…the part that will or will not spend eternity with Him. Have we purposely come to a point of repentance, asking Jesus to forgive us of our sins, and accepted our forgiveness; confessing that we want Him to be Lord of our lives? When we have, then we know from what the Bible says, that our spirit is totally healthy. All is well in that area
               Our spirit hungers and thirsts then after the Living Word of God. As we feed on His Word, our soul (personality…honest outward actions) becomes stable…and healthy.
               Our renewed spirit working with our educated soul, develops faith for the healing of our bodies.
               The first step in any healing is to come to Jesus in all sincerity. The new desire to know Him better leads to the reading of His Word which says:

“He sent His Word and healed them.” (Psalms 107:20).

               I have learned that “without faith it is impossible to please God”.  (Hebrews 11:6). And without faith, I’m not even pleased with my own prayers. Also in His Word, I have learned that “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17).  This hearing is a supernatural impartation of God’s power for us to Believe and Pray in Faith.
               I personally believe that any of us can remain alive on this earth as long as we wish. God has given us weapons against the enemy to defend our minds and bodies. I do believe that when a person is ready to go home to Heaven, there will be great peace and expectancy…and God’s time will be right.
               Jesus is the Great Physician. I do not try to diagnose why someone is physically ill. We are all created very differently…but God, the One who created us all…desires for each of us to come to Him personally for His diagnosis. The Holy Spirit will be the One to prescribe what we individually need, to walk in a healthy spirit, soul, and body.
               Charles Capps, in his small book (small enough to carry in your purse) says about God’s Medicine:

               “To be spoken by mouth three times a day until faith comes.
                 Then once a day to maintain faith. If circumstances grow
                 worse, double the dosage. There are no harmful side effects.”

               Then Charles has paraphrased healing scriptures into forms of prayer and true confessions of what God has said in His Word. The scriptures are listed along with the paraphrases.
               I would encourage each believer who feels weak from time to time in their prayer life…to buy this little book: GOD’S CREATIVE POWER FOR HEALING by Charles Capps – published by Harrison House.      God’s very words will stir your faith so that you can pray with the Power that is equal to the desire you have for your friend. I would encourage you to find this little book at a Christian book store and give it to your friend so they can pray in agreement with you. This makes your prayers even stronger.
               An example of Charles Capp’s collection of true confessions is: “You have given me abundant life. I receive that life through Your Word and it flows to every organ of my body bringing healing and health.” (John 10:10; John 6:63).
                As I wrestled in prayer this morning, desiring to build my personal faith to a position of productive prayer, I was reminded again of the importance of saying what God says; not what the devil says. I know how hard the tongue is to control, but the fruits of consistent faithful Words are worth our daily practice. 
               There are many ways to build our faith but there is not room here to explain even what I know. It’s a great thing for people to seek for themselves…then it is theirs forever. I do BELIEVE that the greatest faith builder for me is to hear my own lips speaking the Promises of God out loud and my great desire is to speak them consistently. Then, when it comes time for me to pray for my friends or myself, I will be prepared. I will not have to “stir up my faith”, it will already be there.