When you find yourself in prayer for the "bigger stuff" of life, how do you come before the Lord? I ask because, depending on the urgency or extremacy of the matter, my posture before God can sometimes falter.

Are you more faithful to formulaic prayer than to truly believing? Ouch. No accusations here, simply a question. Again, I ask because I know this is exactly how I pray from time to time. I don't always pray with belief that God can and may very well intervene. I pray out of duty, out of a pure "Christian response," but, there are times where I'm not sure he'll actually heal my friend who's had more dibilitating sickness and disease in her 30 years than most will in their lifetime or that he'll actually bring salvation to my cousin who is lost deep in the world and entrapped in an alternative lifestyle.

When you pray, how badly do you want God to respond in favor of your request? How do you come before the Lord? Religion and piety will not suffice. Faithful practice without a believing heart is useless.

"I tell you the truth, whoever believes in me will do the same things that I do. Those who believe will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:12-14 NCV).

God wants us to do more than "ask." Is he pleased when we ask? Sure. But imagine his delight over us when we BELIEVE for his response. The scripture says it -- believe for it and believe for what he will do through you. He will do even greater things. You can believe it.