Keaki Bryant
Faith and prayer are deeply intertwined concepts in Christianity. Prayer is a way to communicate with God, and faith is the belief that God will answer those prayers. The Bible contains many verses that emphasise the importance of prayer and faith, such as James 5:14-15, which says: 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. This verse highlights the connection between prayer and faith, suggesting that prayer offered with faith can bring healing and comfort. However, it's important to note that prayer and faith do not guarantee a specific outcome, as God's will ultimately determines the outcome. Christians are encouraged to pray with assurance when God has revealed His will and to pray with submission when the outcome is unknown, trusting that God knows what is best.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith prays with assurance | When God has made the outcome known |
| Faith prays with submission | When God has kept the outcome hidden |
What You'll Learn
Praying with assurance
Understanding the Prayer of Faith
The phrase "the prayer of faith" is found in James 5:15, which says, "The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick" (ESV). This verse has been interpreted in different ways. Some believe that if one prays with enough faith, healing is guaranteed. Others understand it to refer to the prayer offered by elders of the church, bringing spiritual and emotional comfort rather than always physical healing.
The Power of Assurance
The prayer of faith is about believing in God's Word and His covenant commitment to us. It is about asking Him to fulfil His promises. True prayer cannot be separated from holiness. It is an act of aligning our desires with God's will, trusting that He knows what is best for us.
Examples of Assurance Prayers
Prayer for Assurance of Faith
"Heavenly Father, in Thy holy name, we approach You with humility and praise. You have been abundant in Your mercy, Lord, and unending in Your love. We pray for the assurance of our faith in Jesus Christ. Strengthen us as we seek certainty and clarity. Enrich our connection to You, God, bringing us hope where doubts try to shadow. Let not our faith waver but stand firm through every storm. In our earnest plea, grace us with the certainty we crave. In You alone, do we find assurance of an unwavering faith. Amen."
Prayer for Blessed Assurance
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today for Mercy and Peace in our hearts, minds, and souls. The enemy is bringing darkness and anxiety upon us. Help us recognize your presence with us and in us. Help us to have that blessed assurance that nothing we are enduring is beyond your healing power. Help us to know that Your Love is greater than our thoughts and feelings. Thank you, Father, for giving us the faith to know that we can do all things through Christ who is our strength. Send us your Holy Spirit that we may rest in the assurance of your love for us. Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Peace. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
Prayer for Assurance in Times of Fear
"Dearest Savior, Christ Jesus, in Your holy presence I find solace. In the face of fear, Your assurance fills my heart with serene peace. 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' (2 Timothy 1:7) Encapsulated in Your divine safety, anxiety dissipates like mist under sunlight. Though uncertainties loom, I am secure under Your watchful protection. What comfort this brings to my soul! My faith stands unshakeable in You, my fortress against all fears. Amen."
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Praying with submission
Understanding Submission
Submission, in a spiritual context, is about recognising God's authority and protection. It is the opposite of rebellion and stubbornness. The Bible teaches that we are to submit to God's will and, in doing so, we find true freedom and the opportunity to live up to our potential in Christ.
Examples from Scripture
One example of praying with submission is found in Mark 1:40-41. A man with leprosy comes to Jesus, knowing that He has the power to heal him, but he does not presume to know Christ's will. He kneels and begs, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responds with compassion and heals him.
Another example is found in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. The Apostle Paul, who is facing persecution and suffering, pleads with the Lord three times to take away his thorn in the flesh. However, he ultimately submits to God's will, saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
A Prayer of Submission
"Sovereign Lord and King, you are great and abundant in strength. It was you who made the earth by your power, you established the world by your wisdom, and by your understanding, stretched out the heavens. Lord, you know my end from the beginning; you know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thoughts from afar and are familiar with all my ways. You know all my paths. My life is in your hands, and I need you because my knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are limited. Forgive me for my disobedience and rebellious spirit. I submit my will, my desires, and my plans to your authority. I accept that my life is no longer mine but was purchased with the blood of Christ, and so it belongs to you. I will go where you lead and follow your instructions. Let your will be done in my life. In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen."
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Praying for God's will to be done
The Bible tells us that God's commands are "holy, righteous, and good" (Romans 7:12). Praying for His will to be done aligns our desires with His perfect will and acknowledges that He knows what is best for us. This type of prayer requires humility as we set aside our own desires and seek His. It also demonstrates our dependence on God, recognizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
In Matthew 6:9-10, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, saying, "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven'." This instruction is part of what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer. By praying for God's will to be done, we are echoing Jesus' own words in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, when He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).
Furthermore, praying for God's will to be done is not limited to our personal lives but extends to every area of our lives, including our families, our work, our churches, and the world around us. It is a recognition that God is not only concerned with our individual lives but also with the world He created and the people in it.
In conclusion, praying "Your will be done" is an act of faith and submission, acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness. It aligns our desires with His perfect will and demonstrates our dependence on Him. By praying in this way, we echo Jesus' own words and surrender to His leading in our lives and in the world.
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Praying for forgiveness
Faith and prayer are deeply intertwined in Christian belief. Prayer is a way to communicate with God and can be a source of comfort and strength for those who pray. It is also an act of faith, as it involves believing in the power of prayer and trusting that God will answer in some way.
The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a central theme in Christian belief and is often associated with emotional and spiritual healing. In the Bible, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate embodiment of forgiveness, as he forgave those who wronged him, even during his crucifixion. Following his example, Christians are encouraged to forgive others and seek forgiveness for their own transgressions.
When praying for forgiveness from God, it is important to acknowledge one's sins and shortcomings honestly and sincerely. It is also crucial to express remorse and a desire to change. Praying for God's help in letting go of anger, resentment, or guilt associated with one's actions can bring peace and emotional freedom.
A Prayer for Forgiveness
"Heavenly Father, I come before You burdened by bitterness and resentment. I recognize that these emotions have kept me captive for too long. I ask for Your forgiveness and the strength to forgive those who have wronged me. Please help me release the weight of anger and hurt, and fill my heart with Your love and peace. Holy Spirit, I invite You to work within me, bringing freedom from the chains of bitterness. Transform my heart, renew my mind, and lead me on a path of healing and reconciliation. I surrender my pain to You, trusting that Your grace is sufficient for all things. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
In addition to seeking forgiveness from God, Christians may also pray for forgiveness from those they have wronged. This involves recognizing the hurt caused and seeking to make amends. Praying for God's guidance and strength in this process can facilitate healing and reconciliation in relationships.
A Prayer for Forgiveness from Others
"Dear Lord, You are a forgiving and merciful Lord, abounding in love to all who call upon You. Thank You for granting forgiveness so freely to us who are so undeserving. I pray that You'd help me grant forgiveness to those I have wronged, just as You have forgiven me. Open my eyes to the harm caused by my actions and give me the courage to make amends. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen."
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Praying for strength
Simple Prayer for Strength
> Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel abandoned, courage when I am scared, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am lonely, hope when I feel despair, and peace when I am in turmoil. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayer for Strength from the Book of Isaiah
> Lord, You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You, and I am helped. Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.
Prayer for Strength and Resilience
> Most High and Holy Lord, thank You for greeting me with love and faithfulness every morning and night. Help me to bend, not break, in the winds of all I’ve got happening with my life, heart and home right now. Please give me a fresh strength and vitality today to walk in Your ways and thrive in Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayer for Strength in Grief
> Heavenly Father, you are the comforter and the healer. I have recently lost someone dear to me. I do not know if I have the strength to undergo this process of grief and bereavement. Lord, in your holy power, grant me strength to continue during these difficult days. Amen.
Prayer for Strength in Adversity
> Lord, I pray not for tranquility nor that my tribulations may cease; I pray for your spirit and your love that you grant me strength and grace to overcome adversity through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Strength and Power in Prayer
> Lord, I pray that I might realize my authority in prayer. Teach me to pray with Your strength and power. I want to work together with You in prayer to determine my future and the future of my nation. I want to pray with authority for my city. I desire to pray powerful breakthrough prayers that move Your hand to action. Teach me to daily come to You and pray faith-filled prayers for my needs and the need of those around me.
Prayer for Strength Against Spiritual Warfare
> Heavenly Father, each day is a struggle against sin and temptation. Give us the strength to overcome cruelty with grace, and hatred with love. God, remind us that our actions matter. We do not fight a physical battle but a spiritual one, and with each act of compassion we build your kingdom. Help us to be kingdom-builders today. Amen.
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Frequently asked questions
The prayer of faith is a prayer that seeks a specific outcome, such as healing, financial relief, or help with a relationship. It is grounded in the desire to know and do God's will and is based on the belief that God's will and way are best.
Trusting God means accepting whatever He gives, regardless of what we ask for. Trusting only for what He can give means we are trusting in the outcome or object, not in God Himself.
No, God does not answer all prayers. This is for good reason and is not something to be disappointed about. Romans 8:26 tells us that we don't always know what we ought to pray for, so the Holy Spirit must pray for us.
God is not beholden to us and does not need to answer us. We have no right to question God and He does not owe us an explanation. However, when God promises something, it will happen.
Faith prays with assurance when God has made the outcome known. Faith prays with submission when God has kept the outcome hidden. Both types of prayer are effective and are given to us for different situations.
