Theologian

The ESV Blog has a very interesting video posted on the social networking in the NT…very cool.

From page 338, section 2…

…what is it to pray in faith?

It is not to believe that the very thing…that we pray for, shall be always given…the right method of acting thy faith in prayer, which must be taken from the nature of the promise thou puttest in suit…our faith is to be shaped by the promise. If that be absolute…then thy faith may expect the very thing promised; if otherwise, then thou art not to limit thy faith to the thing itself, but expect money for money-worth; health, or as good as health…An absolute faith on a conditional promise…is fancy, not faith.

To pray in faith is to ask of God, in the name of Christ, what he hath promised, relying on his power and truth for performance, without binding him up to time, manner, or means.

From page 105, section 2…

Faith gives the soul a view of the great God. It teacheth the soul to set his almightiness against sins magnitude, and his infinitude against sins multitude; and so quencheth the temptation. The reason why the presumptuous sinner fears so little, and the despairing soul so much,  is for want of knowing God as great. Therefore, to cure them both, the serious consideration of God under this notion is propounded.