Transcript of a radio broadcast by Rev. Joyce Kramer, December 29, 2014.

Do you have an optimistic attitude? If so, then you have a positive attitude toward yourself and toward life. The optimist expects the highest and best out of life. The optimist maintains his happy, “up” outlook no matter what people are saying, or what appearances indicate at the moment.

In the book of Mark, Chapter 9, verses 14–29, the story is told of a father who brought his son to Jesus for help. This is a valuable story that gives us tremendous insight into the power of belief. “And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people when they beheld him, were greatly amazed and running to him, saluted him. And he asked the scribes, ‘What question ye with them?’

“And one of the multitude answered and said, ‘Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.’ He answereth him, and saith, ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me.’

“And they brought him unto Jesus; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him, and he fell on the ground, and Jesus asked his father, ‘How long is it since this came unto him?’ And he said, ‘of a child, and of time it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him; but if thou canst do anything, having compassion on us, help us.’

“Jesus said unto him, ‘IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELEVETH.’ And straightway the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him. ‘Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” And the spirit cried and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose.

“And when Jesus was come to the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could not we cast him out?’ And he said unto them. ‘This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.’”

This beautiful story of a healing shows the power of God in action through Jesus. Jesus expressed to the father of the sick boy the power of belief; He said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Jesus knew that God could heal the boy. He spoke to the father with power and authority assuring him that his son could be healed. He looked to God for results and He got them. Jesus was certainly an optimist. He expected God to work through Him and do whatever He requested.

Perhaps we are somewhat like the boy’s father. Maybe we have a half-hearted belief, but we know that we need more. Perhaps we know that with God all things are possible, yet we have trouble bringing that thought into a very personal circumstance and experience. We sometimes see the out-working of God in the lives of others, yet have some doubt about its effectiveness in our life.

The disciples were concerned that they were unable to heal the boy. They asked Jesus why they couldn’t bring forth the healing. Jesus told them that prayer and fasting were required. Sometimes we find it easier to pray that we do to fast. Fasting means, abstaining from negative thoughts and beliefs. In this case, the boy had been ill all his life. It is likely that the disciples were so caught up in their concern about the boy and the strong, long-term hold that the disease had over him that they really didn’t believe that he could actually be healed. By fasting from all doubts and negative thoughts, Jesus was able to let the power of God work through Him. The child was healed.

In regard to our own problems, sometimes we are like father, not sure that our belief is strong enough, and we don’t really expect the answer to come. Or we may be like the disciples; we fail to fast from thinking about the condition and its power. If we are praying for a healing and our minds are continuing to think about what is wrong, we deprive ourselves of the healing.

The disciples could not heal the boy because they did not believe in the power and authority of their own indwelling Christ. Should you give further study to this story, you will find that three of the disciples were not with them. The spiritual qualities represented by these three absent disciples must be present and active before the result can come. Those missing were Peter, who represents faith; James, who represents wisdom; and John, who represents love. Faith, wisdom, and love are important spiritual attributes and must be with us to experience answers to our prayers.

Prayer is more than asking for something. Before you can receive in prayer, you must believe that you will receive. You must expect the results to come. When you believe and expect your prayers to be answered, your mind is open to receive the answers. The disciples believed that they could handle the lesser needs that come to them. They felt that they could handle the small issues of life, but this … this was too big; they left it up to Jesus to do something about such a severe problem.

Often we cause ourselves difficulties because we don’t really believe that the problem can be handled. We spend a few minutes talking to God about the problem then go about our daily activities not even expecting the answer to come. We pray—just in case it might work.

Recently a young lady, in talking about a disease that she had taken upon herself, was assured that she could be healed. Her replay was, “I know that, but it will take at least three months before I will be myself again.” It is taking that long and longer- because the disease is responding according to her belief. The type of disease has little to do with it; the nature of her belief is calling the plays.

How great is your belief in prayer? Do you believe that God will answer your prayers? Do you believe that the power of God is adequate to correct any condition of limitation in which you find yourself? Do you believe that you can be healed, prospered, harmonized and blessed? According to your belief it will be done unto you. The power of the Christ, the power of God that flows through you is greater than anything in the world. It is the intelligent, unlimited, inexhaustible power of the universe. To the measure of your belief it will operate in your life.

The writer of Proverbs said, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so it he.” As you think in your heart, so are you. So are the conditions in your life. Change what is in your heart, your thoughts and feelings, and you will change the conditions in your life.

Recently a man called demanding to know why his prayers had not been answered. He went on to explain that he had the most well-known prayer groups in the world praying for him-all of them-and nothing was happening. When asked what kind of prayers he was praying, he indignantly replied, “Me? What do I know about prayers? I get others to do the praying for me.” This man is not accepting personal responsibility for his life and for his relationship to God. No one can do for us what we must do for ourselves.

Prayers, in order to be effective, must be affirmative prayer. Once you know what your needs or problems are, start giving thanks that God is active in you, bringing forth perfect results. Expect things to happen and they will.

When Jesus was on earth and performed miracles, He stopped and gave thanks to God. Then He looked for results and He always received them. He did not beg, nor keep asking for what He wanted. In Isaiah 65:24 we read, “Before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Once you have truly prayed, know that God has heard your prayer. God already knows your need. Give thanks and begin to look for results. If you are guided to take some action, then by all means do so.

It is our belief in Unity that God has anticipated our every need and has given us the unlimited power of belief to bring into manifestation the fulfillment. This is not a new belief. It is the belief that Jesus had. He taught that all things are possible to those who believe, and that whatever things they desired could be brought into their world.

Try the method of prayer that Jesus used. When you pray, give thanks that God is right now, this very minute, working in and through you and your affairs to fulfill your need. Use an affirmative prayer such as the following: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me and at this moment in time you are working through me and all my affairs to fill this need. I look for and I expect results.”

Have you been praying for something that you have not received? What are the desires of your heart? Are you accepting the fulfillment of your need into your mind and heart? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible.” There is nothing mysterious about this because this is the law of faith. To have faith is to believe a thing is true. Jesus realized this clearly when He said, “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall have them.”

Belief comes first. Before you receive you must believe. Before you can partake of the abundance that God has provided for you, you must believe in its availability for you. Before you accomplish something, you must believe in your ability to accomplish. Whatever you can conceive of in your mind, and believe, is possible of achievement. Try prayer and fasting. Think in terms of the good that you want, and build a positive expectancy of this good.

If you have a problem or a condition and have not been getting the results you want, follow these simple steps: Pray, believing that God is active in you right now. Realize and feel His presence in you. Know that He has prepared abundant good for your use and enjoyment. Give thanks that your need is being met, your desire fulfilled. Look for results. Expect your prayers to be answered. Do all you can to help yourself.

Maintain an optimistic attitude about answered prayer. Make a personal commitment to “think only the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.” Your desired results will come.