He said that he'd often prayed and thanked God in advance, for his children's future. He thanked God several years in advance for their successful job interviews, and for keeping them from taking jobs that would harm them or diminish the kingdom of God.
What a powerful principle! And you find it sprinkled throughout the Bible.
When King David found out that God had plans to build a dynasty for David and his descendants, he thanked Him by saying, "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?... For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant." (2 Samuel 7:18-21 NIV).
Notice he said, "you have done this great thing". Actually, God hadn't done it yet. It was still in the future, yet David considers it already accomplished. Why? Because it was "for the sake of your word" - when God says it, it's already done!
Only faith motivates one to speak as David did (and to pray as he did). Faith comes by hearing, and faith also has a voice to speak what it hears - "'I believed; therefore, I have spoken.' And with that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak..." (2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV).
Like David, mature people of prayer know this principle. They know how to "pray it forward". They've learned how to pray (and speak) as if the future is already here.
Jesus highlighted the principle when he said, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24 NIV).
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