Prevailing Faith and Prayer, Part 1
Have you ever considered that God gives faith to help you prevail in prayer? Faith, like any spiritual gift, is bestowed by God. Furthermore, God empowers you through grace to believe and to remain steadfast in faith and prayer. While God expects you to steward the faith you receive, the growth of faith in your life is ultimately a result of God working in you as you submit to the Holy Spirit.
A few years ago, I ministered at a church in Brazil and witnessed firsthand the power of prevailing faith and prayer. The church was located in a storefront in a poor area of the city, but the people were rich in faith. When our team arrived at this church, I could hear the intercessors praying loudly in a back room. The pastor asked me if I wanted to join them in prayer before the service started, and I quickly responded, “Yes!” I love being in prayer meetings where faith and expectation are at work.
As soon as I walked into that prayer room, I could “feel” the presence of God in a tangible way. These Brazilian believers were praying for souls to be saved, for healings to occur, and for God to perform miracles among them. I knew God was going to move powerfully in the meeting that night.
After I finished delivering the message, I shared a few words of knowledge about the conditions God wanted to heal. One of the words was for a “deaf left ear.” A few minutes later, a woman approached the translator, speaking Portuguese and pointing to her left ear. I was informed that this woman was deaf in her left ear, but God miraculously opened it after the insight was given! As if that wasn’t enough, she committed her life to Christ that night! She shared how she had never been to a church before but was walking by the church and “felt” that she should go in.
I believe it was the power of faith and prayer at work to create an atmosphere for the Spirit to draw this woman to the meeting, receive a miracle, and then say yes to Jesus! God is not limited to a small church in Brazil; He is looking for those through whom He can show Himself strong in this hour. However, we must learn how to prevail in faith and prayer to see the greater breakthroughs He longs to bring.
“Prevailing prayer is that which gets an answer.” Charles Finley
I have shared over the last few weeks about “Characteristics of Faith,” which include that faith hears, sees, speaks, endures, and receives what is promised before the manifestation in the natural realm. Let’s continue this week by relating faith to the power of prayer.
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJV
The English word “looking” comes from the Greek word “aphorao” (af-or-ah-oh), which signifies undivided attention—looking away from all distractions to focus one’s gaze on a single object. We are to fix our gaze solely on Jesus!
Jesus is the object and source of our faith. We look to Him for inspiration to run our race, and we anticipate His grace to perfect or mature our faith. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we are transformed into His likeness and share in His victory. We too are becoming champions of faith as we grow in grace!
Grace and faith are inseparably linked.
Paul states a foundational truth about grace and faith to the Ephesians:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 NKJV
You cannot earn grace through works; however, grace invites you to engage in becoming Christ-like and doing the very works of Christ.
God’s gift to us (grace) is reconciliation through Jesus. However, God gives a measure of faith (Rom. 12:3) to believe in His gift of eternal life. We cannot earn His grace; it is freely given. Similarly, we cannot earn faith; He generously provides it.
As I mentioned earlier in this article, we have a responsibility to steward the faith given to us, but understand that it is both God’s grace and God’s faith at work in you! You can’t earn your way to grace or faith—you can, however, position yourself to grow in grace and faith.
God often imparts faith to us when we least deserve it; this reflects His grace. None of us deserve grace, yet God gives it freely.
But this grace is more than simply your conversion experience. God grants faith at the times when you and I need it most, often when we least deserve it. God’s faith, given to your heart, causes mountains to move and prayers to be answered—it’s by his grace!
Prevailing Faith leads to Prevailing Prayer.
The lesson of the withered fig tree teaches us the importance of steadfast faith and prayer, forgiveness, and Jesus’ authority. Mark 11:20-24:
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 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.24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV
Jesus’ action in cursing the fig tree teaches us about the necessity of having God’s faith and passion in prayer. When faith wavers, prayer weakens.
Faith weakens when we mistakenly assume it is not God’s will to answer our prayers. Sure, there are times when people pray with selfish motives or outside of God’s will, but many requests align with His desires. For instance, it is God’s will for you to be in good health; He desires to heal the sick, save the lost, grant His people victory over fear and oppression, and meet your daily needs, to name a few.
I’ve discovered that hearts devoted to Christ remain steadfast in faith and prayer, grounded in confidence in God’s promises and a personal relationship with Him.
Unforgiveness, a Hinderance to Prevailing Faith and Prayer
Mark continues the story of Jesus and the withered fig tree by stating:
25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26 NKJV
A condition for prevailing prayer is a forgiving spirit. You can’t walk in the fullness of grace while holding onto unforgiveness. The power of faith and prayer is connected to your ability to flow in the Spirit, unhindered by offense or resentment. Paul also discusses the importance of not holding onto complaints (or trespasses) in his writing to the Corinthians about love:
“2 If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing… 4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, … 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:2, 4-5, 13 CEB
Love transforms us; faith and hope sustain us! Allow love and grace to fulfill their perfect work in your life—live in forgiveness!
