Q: I’ve heard people talk about “the prayer of faith” but I’m not sure I understand how to pray the prayer of faith. Would you please explain it to me?
A: To understand how to pray the prayer of faith we need first of all to understand what faith is, and Hebrews 11:1 gives us the answer: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Amplified Bible says, “[faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].”
We also need to know how to develop faith if we are going to pray in faith. Romans 10:17 tells us: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
From these scriptures we understand the prayer of faith, then, is a prayer that is based on God’s WORD and it is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. When you pray the prayer of faith you start with the answer, The WORD, instead of the problem. God’s WORD holds the answer to your situation. So if you’re sick, find healing scriptures; if you have a financial need, find promises in The WORD about provision.
Then when you pray, say what The WORD says about your situation. Believe it, declare it and continue to confess God’s WORD over that situation. Call those things that be not as though they were. Before you see any evidence of change, believe that it’s done according to The WORD of God. See yourself with the answer. See it on the inside, act like you already have it and praise God for the answer!
It’s also important to realize that the prayer of faith changes things, not God. You’re not trying to convince God to do something for you…He’s already given you the victory. So renew your mind to what The WORD says, then let that be the final authority. That problem may represent the facts, but if you will stay on The WORD, the Truth will change the facts!
Faith requires no outside evidence or support. God’s WORD is faith’s final answer. Faith praises God for the answer before it is manifest to the five physical senses.
The prayer of faith will work if you’ll stand on The WORD of the living God instead of believing the circumstances. Contrary evidence of the senses is no reason for doubting. The evidences on which our faith rests are far more reliable—they are eternal. God’s WORD never fails.
Make a point of reminding yourself and reminding the devil that you are not going to believe God but you have already believed God. Many times when I pray, I actually take my foot and draw a line across the floor and say, “That’s the line of faith. As I step over it I believe I receive the promise. Now Father, I have prayed the prayer of faith in the Name of Jesus. I believe that I have the petition that I desire of You. I’ve stepped over this line of faith and I’m never going back. As far as I’m concerned, it’s done. Amen, so be it.”
Now, when there is a contrary symptom or negative words spoken by others to try and make me believe something other than what I’ve prayed, I refer to that moment when I crossed the line of faith. It helps me stay focused in my mind. It helps me take a stand against fear. It reminds me that I have believed God and now I’m walking in faith, expecting the desired result.
Victory is inevitable—for you and for me—if we’ll stay in faith and not quit.
*Article taken from February 2015 issue of BVOV Magazine. Read the PDF version here.
