Prayer of Faith

Mark 11:22-25 (New King James Version)

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

The kind of prayer that moves mountains is prayer for the fruitfulness of God’s Kingdom. It would seem impossible to move a mountain into the sea, so Jesus used that illustration to show that God can do the impossible.

The Lord will answer your prayers but not as a result of your positive mental attitude. Other conditions must be met:

1. You must be a believer;
2. You must not hold a grudge against another person;
3. You must not pray with selfish motives;
4. Your request must be for the good of God’s Kingdom.

To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused. Our prayers are often motivated by our own interests and desires. We like to hear that we can have anything. But Jesus prayed with God’s interests in mind. When we pray, we can express our desires, but we should want His will above ours. Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God’s.

Luke 7:9-10 (New International Version)

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The officer’s faith was especially amazing, because he was a Gentile who had not been brought up to know a loving God.

James 5:14-15 (New Living Translation)

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

All prayer relies on our faith in God. Although the phrase ‘prayer of faith’ is commonly used, the reality is that all prayer is by faith in God.

Matthew 9:20-22 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, if I can just touch his robe, I will be healed. Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

The prayer of faith is rooted in our confidence in God’s Word. The woman with the issue of blood knew that touching Jesus would get her healed.

Her faith made a way for healing to touch her. When we are sure that what we are praying for is God’s will for us, the prayer of faith should be utilized.

Prayers two greatest hindrances

1. Unforgiveness (Mark 11:25)
2. Doubt (James 1: 5-8)

The prayer of faith does not need to be a prolonged prayer, although it does not prevent it. The important thing to remember is that talking to our Heavenly Father is not a set of rules. If you have ever seen the constant rolling of huge waves at sea, you know how restless they are—subject to the forces of wind, gravity, and tide. Doubt leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves. If you want to stop being tossed about, rely on God to show you what is best for you.

Ask Him for wisdom, and trust that He will give it to you. Then your decisions will be sure and solid. What might start out as a prayer of faith could develop into intercession. Supplications can also occur in all our prayers.