Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:24).
The tenses must be right to receive from God. Faith believes that God has or God is presently working on your behalf. Faith never looks to the future! If you’re waiting on some point in the future for God to do something for you, then you’re hoping and not believing. You’re in the future where hope is, and you’re not in the past and present where faith is. Don’t just hope and pray. Pray and believe that God has answered your prayer!
Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). God told Joshua that he had already given Jericho into his hands while the walls still stood high. Before raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus looked to heaven and prayed, Lord, I thank you that you have heard me. He put his prayer in the past tense. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham while he was yet childless. Jesus told the ten lepers to go offer the sacrifice that Moses said for lepers to offer after they were healed. The ten were healed as they went.
Make sure today that you believe that you receive what you need from the Lord. Ask Him, then believe that He has answered the moment you pray. Lift your hands and voice and thanks to Him just like you would if the answer was already there. Faith acts like God has already performed the answer. Faith talks like God has already performed the answer. Faith expects. God’s grace and mercy are available to help you as you reach out in present or past tense faith!