The “prayer of faith” is a concept that appears several times in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. It refers to prayers that are offered with complete trust and confidence in God’s power, goodness, and willingness to act. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the prayer of faith:
Faith is essential for effective prayer
Multiple passages emphasize that faith is a key component of prayer that gets results. For example, James 1:6 says “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” Praying with faith means trusting fully in God’s ability to do what we ask. Hebrews 11:6 also says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Believing that God hears and answers prayer is foundational to praying effectively.
The prayer of faith aligns with God’s will
Praying in faith does not mean treating God like a genie who grants any wish. 1 John 5:14 clarifies that “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Praying according to God’s will involves seeking to understand His heart and purposes through Scripture. It means surrendering our own desires to what He desires. When we pray persistently for things that align with God’s nature and plans, He delights to grant those requests (1 John 5:15).
Strong faith perseveres in prayer
Faith-filled prayer is tenacious and persistent. Jesus told a parable “to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). He shared about a persistent widow who kept appealing to an unjust judge until he granted her request. Jesus then said “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7). Though God is not unjust, persistent prayer demonstrates faith that He hears and acts.
The prayer of faith heals the sick
The New Testament connects praying in faith with healing for the sick. James 5:14-15 instructs “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.” God still heals in response to prayer offered in faith today. The Gospels also illustrate Jesus healing people when they exercised faith in him (Matthew 9:2, 9:22, 9:29).
Prayer that moves mountains
Jesus described the incredible power of faith-filled prayer in Mark 11:22-24: “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” With God, nothing is impossible when we pray in unwavering faith according to His will.
The prayer of faith brings glory to God
John 14:13 says “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Answered prayers are opportunities to glorify God and testify to His power and goodness. 1 Peter 4:11 explains “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” The prayer of faith glorifies God.
Praying in the Spirit enables powerful prayer
Praying in the Holy Spirit enhances our connection to God and strengthens our faith. Jude 1:20 instructs us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 8:26-27 also reveals the Spirit interceding for us and through us “with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Praying in the Spirit is key to the prayer of faith.
Faith-filled prayer requires meditating on Scripture
Building faith through God’s Word empowers prayer. The Psalms are filled with prayers and reflections on Scripture. Psalm 1:2 says of the righteous man “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Joshua 1:8 instructs “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Immersing our minds in Scripture strengthens faith-filled prayer.
Examples of faith-filled prayer in the Bible
The Bible provides many examples of men and women of faith praying powerful prayers that God answered in amazing ways:
- Hannah praying fervently for a child and God blessing her with Samuel (1 Samuel 1)
- Elisha praying for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the spiritual armies surrounding them (2 Kings 6:15-17)
- Isaiah praying and God miraculously causing the sun’s shadow to reverse (2 Kings 20:8-11)
- Elijah praying for fire from heaven to consume his water-drenched sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36-38)
- Jesus praying before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-44)
- The disciples praying for boldness and miracles with signs following (Acts 4:23-31)
How to pray prayers of faith
Here are some biblical ways to strengthen your faith and pray bold, effective prayers:
- Study Scripture and biblical prayers to understand God’s will and nature
- Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide your prayers (Ephesians 5:18, Jude 1:20)
- Confess any known sin that would hinder your prayers (Psalm 66:18)
- Pray with expectation, persistence, and determination (Luke 18:1-8)
- Meditate on God’s promises and faithfulness (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Pray specific requests, not vague generalities (Matthew 7:7-11)
- Trust God to answer in His timing and way, not yours (Hebrews 11:1)
- Refuse doubt, fear, and unbelief (Mark 11:22-24)
- Give thanks when you pray, before you see results (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Ask others to agree with you in prayer (Matthew 18:19-20)
Hindrances to the prayer of faith
Certain attitudes or behaviors can hinder powerful prayers of faith, including:
- Praying selfishly for things solely to gratify your desires (James 4:3)
- Praying with wrong motives such as pride or impressing others (Matthew 6:5)
- Inner doubt, wavering, and unbelief (James 1:6-7)
- Not abiding in Christ and His words (John 15:7)
- Unconfessed sin and refusing to repent (Isaiah 59:1-2)
- Praying without perseverance and diligence (Luke 18:1)
- Not praying according to God’s revealed will in Scripture (1 John 5:14-15)
- Not forgiving others from your heart (Mark 11:25-26)
- Trying to pray without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27)
In summary…
The prayer of faith is prayer that trusts wholly in God’s character, relies on His promises, follows His Word, submits to His will, and expects Him to act. This type of earnest prayer taps into God’s supernatural power and enables miracles. When we demonstrate unwavering faith through our prayers, we can move mountains and experience God intervening powerfully in our lives and world for His glory.