Then Jesus put his hands over their eyes and said, “You will have what your faith expects!” Matthew 9:29 TPT
Back in February of 2021, I ran across this verse just before my husband went in for open heart surgery to replace a valve and to repair an aortic aneurysm.
The scripture really spoke to me in the Passion Translation: “You will have what your faith expects.” Of course, the KJV said the same thing, just differently. “According to your faith, let it be to you.” Somehow, the more modern translation was faith-building to me.
And so I stood upon that scripture – even when a week after he went home from his surgery, he was right back in the hospital, seemingly far sicker than the first time he went in. He went into A-Fib and exhibited tremors and speech that made no sense. He had no balance and could not stand up. He’s a big guy, and my first reaction was, “How am I ever going to take care of him at home.”
I was scared. No doubt about it.
But then two things happened. That night, Jim was undergoing ablation to correct the A-Fib problem, I was walking the floor in his hospital room and remembered Matthew 9:29. (It is a lifesaver to have scripture memorized!) I began to tell God I expected Jim to be totally healed. In fact, I reminded God of prayers years ago when Jim first became disabled. I have not seen the culmination of those prayers answered yet.
But I expect it will happen!
[5 minutes are up; but as usual, I have more to say.]
Right about that time, my pastor called. I found out later he was going through a struggle of his own and God had told him to call me and pray for me, and then he would receive his answer. Pastor didn’t know Jim was having the ablation. It was later at night than he normally would call me. He was obedient, and called and lifted my faith up at the same time.
I really don’t remember his prayer. I just know when my husband came out of recovery, he was back to himself. In fact, he was released to go home by noon of the next day.
Praying with expectation yields results.
There is a story of a lame man who once got the attention of the apostle Peter. The man expected Peter to give him something material such as money, but instead, he received much more:
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 2:1-8 NKJV
Goodness and Mercy shows up.
It reminds me of an experience I had in 2019. I felt a prompting from the Lord to think about this question: “What if you believed, really believed, that goodness and mercy was going to chase you down this year?” (based off Psalm 23:6). Every year since, I can look back and see how goodness and mercy showed up; but I’m working on praying with the expectation of even more goodness and mercy arriving.
There’s no telling what might happen if you actually expect something to happen when you pray!
Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9:29 NKJV
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This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday prompt, “expectation.” In interest of full disclosure, I did write for 5 minutes on the prompt, then took more time to flesh out my last point, look up scriptures and add photos and headings.
I’m sharing this post with the communities at Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragments Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Tune In Thursday
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All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.