Prayer in Faith, Not Faith in Prayer
When Prayer Feels Disappointing
Many sincere believers have prayed hard for a specific blessing, only to watch it not come the way they hoped. When that happens, some hearts grow heavy, and some even grow bitter. You may hear someone say, “I have lost faith in prayer.” But that statement already shows where the problem begins. Scripture never calls us to put our faith in prayer itself. Scripture calls us to put our faith in the living God. Have faith in God (Mark 11:22).
Faith in Prayer or Prayer in Faith?
There is a great difference between faith in prayer and prayer in faith. A person who has only faith in prayer can begin to treat prayer like a religious formula, as if the act itself guarantees the result. Prayer becomes a tool to get what he wants, almost like a charm or a key to unlock desired outcomes. But that is not biblical faith. That puts too much weight on the prayer and not enough on the God who hears prayer. In the end, that kind of thinking can drift toward superstition, and even a subtle kind of idolatry, because prayer itself is being trusted more than the Lord. But biblical prayer is different. Biblical prayer is prayer offered in faith in God—His wisdom, His power, His fatherly goodness, and His sovereign will.
Trusting the God Who Knows Better
The object of our faith must be God Himself, not the act of praying. When we come to Him, we are to place ourselves and all that concerns us in His hands. We see only a small piece of life, but the Lord sees the whole picture from beginning to end. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration (Isaiah 55:8). What we think is necessary may not actually be what we most need. So, when we pray in faith, we do so with confidence that our heavenly Father knows what is best. He has promised to care for His children: And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
When God Says “Wait” or “No”
Real prayer prepares the believer not only for God’s “yes,” but also for His “wait” and His “no.” The Lord may refuse the specific thing we ask for, but He never refuses His own children in Christ. He may deny the request and still give greater grace. Paul himself pleaded for the thorn in the flesh to be removed, and the Lord answered, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So, the Christian does not sulk when a particular request is denied. We bow before God’s sovereignty, rest in His faithfulness, and remember that the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity (Psalm 84:11). If He withheld it, then in His perfect wisdom it is not truly good for us at that time.
Why Pray if God Already Knows Our Needs?
Someone may ask, If God already knows our needs, why should we pray at all? The answer is that prayer is not merely asking for things. Prayer is communion with God. Our Lord Jesus said, your Father knows the things you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8), and yet He still taught us to pray, Give us today our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Just as a loving child continues to speak freely with a faithful father, so the believer draws near to God again and again. Hebrews 4:16 says, Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Prayer is the open hand of faith receiving from the gracious hand of God. It is the language of dependence, worship, submission, and trust.
A Closing Appeal
So do not put your faith in the strength of your prayers, the eloquence of your words, or the intensity of your feelings. Put your faith in God. Come to Him through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. Pray humbly, pray boldly, pray persistently, and leave the results in His hands. If you are weary, keep praying. If you are disappointed, keep trusting. If you are burdened, cast your care upon Him; because he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7). And if you have never truly come to God in repentance and faith, come now to the One who saves sinners and receives all who call upon His name. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Copyright © 2006–2026 by Miguel J. Gonzalez Th.D.
Dr. Miguel J. Gonzalez is the Founder and President of Reasons for Faith International Ministries. He served as a pastor for ten years in Charlotte, NC and has taught in churches and conferences throughout the United States. He currently hosts the Time in the Word and Truth To Live By podcasts and writes at KnowingChristianity.blogspot.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved
