Sometime ago, my daughter said to me after church, “Daddy, I want to score 60 out of 60 in my exams.” I smiled and said, “Great news, we prayed for excellence today.” She replied, “I know, I said ‘I receive it’ in prayer.” I told her, “Saying ‘I receive it’ is powerful, but you must also open your books and study.” That’s responsible faith.
Friend, you need to have a responsible faith. Don’t stop at just saying “I receive it.” You must also work. Many in church receive blessings in prayer but lack the discipline to act on them. Some leaders only pray for people without teaching the practical wisdom for success. Prayer is powerful, but God expects diligence from us, too.
Faith and effort must walk together (1 Corinthians 15:10). Lack of balance here is why many feel disappointed and see Church as a scam. The truth is, church is not a scam, and God is not a fraud. The problem may be wrong teaching or no teaching at all. God’s ways are clear and proven. When we align with His Word, results follow (Hosea 6:3).
You need sound pastoral leadership that teaches balance (Jeremiah 3:15). Faith and wisdom work together. Faith causes you to declare, “I receive it!” Wisdom pushes you to act on what you’ve received. Without wisdom, faith becomes empty noise. With both, you move from declaration to manifestation (1 Timothy 4:15).
Irresponsible faith dumps everything on God. But true faith is seen in both words and works (James 2:17-26). The supernatural is simply “super” plus “natural.” The natural is your responsibility. The super is God’s contribution. If you don’t do your part, you block His part. God works with those who work. He honours obedience (James 1:25).
What natural step are you taking to partner with God (2 Kings 7:3)? God handles the impossible. You handle the possible. Miracles are born when divinity meets humanity through obedience (John 2:5). This season, go beyond “I receive it.” Add action to your faith. Work it out with God. Your testimony is next.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria