Watch and Pray

Dr. David C. Cooper

I have been reflecting lately on the incredible power of faith. Faith is a wonderful gift God has given to us but it does not benefit us until we release our faith in prayer. Think about Jesus' words: "Have faith in God! Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray believe that you receive them and you shall have them" (Mark 11:22, 24).

I once heard that unbelief is the mother of all sin. Paul tells us, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom 14:23). We need to make a resolution to eliminate doubt and unbelief from our hearts. We need to eliminate negative words from our speech. Guard your heart and your mouth not to say such things as "I can't do it," "I don't believe it will happen," or "I'll believe it when I see it."

God calls us to be agents of faith. If you believe something in your heart you need to confess it verbally. "We believe; therefore, we speak" (2 Cor 4:13). We are out of God's will and we limit His work in our lives when we speak words of doubt and unbelief. If we are not careful we can also dampen the dreams of others by negative words of doubt. Christians are commissioned by Jesus to be agents of faith, hope and love. These are the three eternal virtues that change the world. So, let us all make a new resolution to grow in faith this year and to guard our speech to only speak words of faith.

In the spirit of expectant faith, be in prayer this coming weekend. I encourage your attendance in God's house on Sunday.


Dr. David C. Cooper serves as Senior Pastor of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, GA. He received his bachelor's degree from Lee College, his Master of Education from the University of Georgia, and his Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Currently, Dr. Cooper serves as chairman of the Board of Directors and as an instructor in Counseling at the Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. Click here to read more!