Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22
Dear members and friends,
For religious communities, especially three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), faith is central for their religious life and practices. However, what it means to have faith could be different from one religion to another, and even more specifically one individual to another. The word “faith” in an English dictionary is defined as “complete trust or confidence in someone or something” or “strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.” Interestingly, our English dictionary defines faith differently depending on whether it is used in a religious or non-religious context. In a religious context, faith is defined as a belief based not on proof, but on spiritual affiliation. In other words, faith is a personal matter based on one’s experience and interpretation. Yet, religious institutions – and especially leaders of religious institutions – have been insisting that there is a certain objective measure for faith.
In his teachings, Jesus emphasizes faith as a spiritual state of being in which one has achieved a complete union with God as it is stated in Matthew 21:22. Some people may understand this teaching to mean that if they pray sincerely and truthfully, they will receive whatever they pray for. However, the most important word in this teaching is not “receive,” but “faith.” Jesus emphasized, “in prayer with faith.” The Greek word for faith is pisteuo, which is derived from peitho, meaning “to persuade or to be persuaded.” Thus, faith could be understood as “to make oneself persuaded.” About what? Of course, about the existence of God, and the necessity of living a life in accordance with God’s commandments. This is very important, because one’s heart can only be persuaded by oneself to believe in such a Being whose existence is not provable by human ability.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment of prayer. Let us look into our heart deeply, and meditate upon faith, what it means to have faith.
Blessings,
Rev. Junchol Lee