When You Pray, You Must Believe!

St._Peter_Preaching_Pentecost-300-webby Rex Rouis

The Bible tells us that we are not just to pray, but rather to pray believing. If we are specifically told to believe when we pray, then it must be possible to pray and not believe. Not all prayer brings results. Only believing prayer moves God and receives from Him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1:6, 7

All of the world’s religions exhort men to pray, but it is only the Bible that requires men to believe what they pray. This is the radical concept of the Bible – the requirement of actually trusting God. This was first exhibited in the Old Testament, and further developed in the New Testament – the absolute necessity for one to believe when one prays. Other religious systems are content with the motions of prayer, but the true Living God requires that we maintain a relationship with Him and that we trust Him.

Therefore, I say unto you, whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Mark 11:24

Believing takes the emphasis off of prayer itself, and puts the emphasis entirely on God Himself. It is all about Him and His faithfulness. The Bible does not teach is to rely on prayer alone. It teaches us to rely on Him. Only when we can fully rely on Him can we fully pray believing. We are to believe Him first, and then express that belief in prayer. The faith must be in the heart before the prayer comes out of the mouth.

But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Rom 10:8-10

Comments

  1. We also need faith to receive a negative response from God just like Paul. Suffering is God’s most formative and piercing tool, and He will bring great suffering upon His true children. 1 Peter 4-12. A lack of suffering is actually reason to be concerned that your faith is illegitimate in the Bible. He is treating you as a son. He chastens whom He loves. We are fleshy, but being conformed to the image of Christ THROUGH suffering. Take heart! Rejoice! Suffer with patience, even with tears, yet glorify Almighty God! He is full of mercy.

  2. It’s very nice to read all the comments and prayers that people write to other people whom they’ve never met. I need your prayers, too. I’ve been suffering lots of pains on my neck, shoulders and arms for years and now am on the waiting list for a surgery on my cervical disc. I’ve been on a long sick leave and I’ll have to go back to work as soon as possible after the surgery. However I have developed an ulcer and GERD lately due to pain killers and have lost 20% of my weight. I also have lower back pain. I need to get better and regain some weight and strength for the surgery. I’ve been in lots of pain and discomfort. I need healing. I need deliverance. I need faith in God that I will receive what I ask for…

    1. Midori, I am not sure if I am just right in time to write this for you. I had al ost the same thing as you did back in 2018, around June, despite it was herniated disc and sciatica and my neurosurgeon recommended me a discectomy procedure to remove the ruptured disc that pinched my leg nerves. It was unbearably painful and I almost thought that I had no hope to regain my life back. But, I was wrong. God again and again, delivered me from my afflictions.

      I was consistently reading thru the Daily Confession by pastor John Osteen in this site. Also. reading the other healing confession from pastor Joseph Prince. Heard podcasts from my respected evangelist, particularly in healing, Andrew Womack. Flipped over a lot of articles and our foremost important book every Christian should never forget, Bible. I remembered how frustrated I was at that time due to my inability to even sit down for more than 20 minutes. Long story short, I went for surgery. And I had GERD and bloated on my stomach which I suspected due to conditions. So, I feel what you feel. You were weak and scared, just like I did.

      Trusting God completely is just THE WAY. Medical can just did so much. Did I mention to you that I underwent two times surgery.? But, again I told you that Jesus Christ is the ONLY ANSWER. His promise that HE NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US (Deuteronomy 31:6) and that BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED (Isaiah 53:4-5), and HE HAS HEALED ALL OUR DISEASES (Psalm 103:2-5) you can take firm hold on that. The prayer that believes is the only answer (Mark 11:24, Mark 9:23). I experienced that, and you would as well. Believe in your heart, hold it deeply and confess it out loud, so your conscience will line with your mouth.

      God loves you, my friend. Get well soon.

      1. Dear Erny,
        Thank you so much for your comment. I couldn’t believe when I saw it in my e-mails. To be honest with you, I never really expected to receive any comment. I feel so blessed and encouraged.

        To make a long story short I underwent the surgery in the middle of December. I thank God that I had it in December. (I live in Milan Italy) Well, I was hoping that the surgery would resolve my problem by eliminating the pains, but things didn’t go like that… I still have lots of pains on my neck, both shoulders and both upper arms. And in the afternoon I have bad headaches too. My neurosurgeon said the surgery went well and he didn’t know why I was having so much pains… His comment scared me a lot…

        Well, I haven’t been able to start physical therapy yet because at first my muscle was too tight and the doctor told me that I wasn’t ready physically. Then this pandemic hit Italy and we’ve been on lockdown since…

        Thankfully I’ve been back to work since last week just because I can work from home a few hours a day-I couldn’t have gone back to work normally…

        I would appreciate a lot if you could pray for me. I will stamp out your comment and will put it in my journal to read it over. Thank you again for having taken time to write me a heart filled comment. May God bless you.

        Midori

        1. I want to thank God that all things are possible only when we believe

          I was diogenised with cancer in 2012 operated, it come back in 2015 in stage 4A
          but today 2022 I’m free from cancer
          Doctors only treat but God heals I give God all the glory

  3. Hello Marion. My name is Karen. I heard your desperation and frustration in your comment. I also noticed you mentioned anger and hate. You know negative thoughts stand between us and God. If you have accepted God’s forgiveness of your sin, that is the basis for forgiving so you can release anger and hate. Study your Bible in these areas. Release these feelings to God.

  4. I was thinking about killing myself my kids shut me out, didn’t get to c my grandbabies, boyfriend walked out, I literly had no body. I’ve served GOD most of my life and couldn’t understand how he could let me go through such heartache, I went through Thanksgiving, CHRISTmas & New Years all alone. I PRAYED GOD HELP ME but nothing until I got on my knee and truly unloaded on him giving it all to him my heat litterally felt like it was going to explode, tears rolling like u wouldn’t believe, I kept on going until he grabbed my heart and I litterally felt a calming PEACE within myself.
    You can’t just PRAY u got to give it ur all turn it all loose
    I will keep u n my PRAYERS

  5. What happens when we just can’t bring or dont have feelings of love for God. I’ve prayed for a heart that loves him, adores trusts worships and praises him but I feel nothing. Everything hinges on that love. Without it one cannot function in prayer bible reading …. nothing. I don’t feel a relationship. This has been going on for many years. I was a believer since childhood and now I’m near 60 but my life has been empty. I feel stuck in neutral. Without faith it is impossible please God. Some ppl say we choose to love God but I don’t believe this. I choose God but feel nothing. I don’t know if I have apathy. I feel I need supernatural healing here as I just can’t change by myself. I’m nothing on my own. A sinner stuck in hatred anger and you name it I ve got it. I have no trouble believing in God but from there it just goes downhill. I’ve sought help from church and friends but no one gets it.

    1. Marion, I understand how you are feeling. We can’t always understand how God is working in our lives… or when. I have struggled for over a year. I asked God to draw me nearer and it seems the opposite has happened. My mind is always under attack. Keep praying and don’t give up.

    2. I was reading many of the comments here and they reflect a struggle like you describe one I can relate to.

      Prayers with faith is something almost foreign to me. I have been given the example of a chair…when I sit on a chair I have faith it will hold me and not break.

      To which I Have said yes but I see the chair i feel the chair. I can judge if its sturdy and reliable and trust my judgement to sit.

      The only thing I can think of that just struck me now that perhaps can helps us both…

      Using the chair example. Think If we were in a room blind folded and needed to sit but no one said there is a chair and we dont know how this looks or if its sturdy good reliable.
      You may stand for a long time but soon you will get tire. Your legs will start to give out, shake and buckle in a moment where you may panic because you are blind folded and no one is there to guide you take a leap of faith trust that there is chair. Forget the analogy of the chair and think on the moment as if you where there feel your heart race the desperation the panic…finally you just leap you either lose all or ended in a sturdy chair. But you chose to belive what you couldnt see or trust.

      The results are between you and God. I dont know how this will help because not all prayers are answer how we would want and that breaks my heart too because if we pray with faith and it does not pass what then do we say I did not have enough faith? I didnt pray believing it will happen.?

      I think on this times you really have to mustard everything you have ,(and I am saying this to myself too) “ok god this is not your will but something i really wanted, it breaks my heart as i felt you placed this dream in me amd as it has not come to be and that door is closed, you have plans for my god so now I boldly pray amd ask you heal my heart and help me get over that dream help me get passed as it has not come to be heal me so that I may move from this and see the good you have for as of now i am hurting and i am here before you at the door knocking, help me have trust help me have faith let me see not see with my understanding but yours. Amen

      Hope that help.

    3. Stop focusing on yourself and focus on praising Him and you will begin to feel the love and blessings. Trust me…I was out of fellowship for over 20 year. When I took the focus off of myself and sought His will and praised Him in every situation (good or bad) that’s when my relationship with Him began to grow in leaps and bounds and the blessings began to pour in over me.
      God Bless You in your quest to be close to Him.

    4. Thank you Marion for sharing your heart. Just the fact that you shared shows how important God is to you. I pray that God would fill you with His unconditional love for the body of Christ and for the lost. And that there would be no unforgiveness, either giving or receiving on your part which would hinder your prayers of being filled with His love. The Bible tells us to pray with faith, believing that we have received what we have asked for. This is not a thorn where God’s grace is sufficient. He desires that we love Him with heart, mind, soul, and strength. And that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Keep on praying without ceasing, and believe. Jesus is the author of our faith, and it can be exercised and strengthened. Sing to the Lord, worship the Lord, and use your gifts to help and love others. I ask that you would pray for me as well, that I would return to my first love with passion and power and fervency in these last days. Thank you. God loves you Marion.

    5. I feel for you deeply! I have deep troubles in my life as well. I studied gods word hard, and was very enthusiastic about the word, I also preached for about 5 yrs, taught adult Bible class for 10yrs. I thought that I was not movable! But then I fell, I allowed myself into a sea of self pitty, and pleasure! While preaching, and teaching,! Numbing myself, begging for mercy, from God! Please change my heart, I am on your team God, I choose you God! But no answer, so deeper I flew! What saves me is I know all is for a reason! Stop worrying about finding or loving God, (keep reading, I am not going to stir you from God, but bring you to him) start caring for strangers everyday, go find someone to feed, go find someone who is lonely, that needs someone to talk to! In order to have roots in God, you have to have them in something bigger than you! We have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and our pitiful situation’s , and take it, and go share it with someone who shares the same situation! They will be so thankful, they will touch your heart, And what you will find in there eyes is God! He will move things in you that you can not emagin, emotions, that you have never felt. Then you will start actually caring, for someone’s sole other than your own, and be able actually give a true heart felt prayer that you feel will actually come true, because you actually believe! This will all happen because you actually did something that God commanded us to do, but no one does it! When we stop trying to get ourselves into heaven, and start worrying about the rest of the world, and fiscally caring for the rest, then we become Christian’s!I apologise if any of this comes out wrong, harsh, or judgmental. I do not judge. Maybe you do these things already. But the Bible says that if you love others as yourself, then you complete the laws, and are perfect. How would you want to be treated, if hungry, lonely, desperate?! God is trying to get your attention. And he has it. I know that you care deeply for your family. Try caring for strangers as if they were your family, and see where God is in your heart, in a couple of weeks, or months. I would like to bett that your entire life will change! God be with you !

  6. Thanks everyone for your encouraging messages. Unfortunately, I still haven’t got a job. I’m going through job application rejections since 2017 and all hope is lost really. I’ve tried and tried, I’m applying for anything that I see available, and have even sent out hundreds of inquiry applications, but I’ve gotten no where.

    1. Rita, I don’t know where you live but try Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’m pretty sure one of them will hire you. They both have a high turnover rate so there are always positions and they always have a big hiring to get ready for spring and another to get ready for the holidays. You may have to start as a part timer but at least it’s something but they do that to see who’s worth promoting to full time. If you are a good worker, punctual, don’t call out etc… they will offer you a full-time position plus let them know that’s what you’re looking for as well. Home Depot particularly is going nowhere, it’s a secure company. Remember God knows your needs, I will pray for you.

    2. Rita, I responded to your prayer request back on Jan.6,2019. I as I’m sure others have prayed for you, can you provide an update to your situation? Hope all is better, God bless you.

      1. Thank you Michael and everyone else who prayed for me. I was hired recently and have work for the next couple of months. Blessings to everyone. I’m grateful.

        1. Praise the Lord!!! That is absolutely wonderful, fabulous news. God bless you!!!

  7. Praying for each and every one of you ??I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that my precious Lord leads me through everyday. Two of my children have a bad drug problem.. My grandson started using drugs and he lost everything he owned.. he has lost all rights to his children Aubrie and Gaige.. 7 and 4 years. I not allowed to see my great grand babies.. my husband had a heart attack a month ago. I have lupus and have had back surgery. I am 68 years old. My God is not done with me yet. I praise Him and thank Him for the Merciful and Mighty God He is . I pray and I believe that my Lord will turn this all into good. Please keep me and my family in your prayers ??God is so good ??

    1. Martha, I have prayed for you and I know things will get better. Jeremiah ” For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares Yahweh, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ” We must be patient and wait on Him and He will move on our behalf. He loves us and He doesn’t want us to hurt, fear, worry or do anything that may negatively affect our relationship with Him. Sometimes the waiting and the situations are tests and time for us to grow more so that we may be more fruitful unto Him. We Christians are constantly at war with things the world will never understand until they too become members of Yahweh’s kingdom. God uses storms in our lives to sometimes be destructive but also to sometimes clear a path. Remember Romans 8:28 “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for GOOD to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. God bless you Martha. Forever In God’s Love and Mine – Michael

    2. Martha Cater! Thank you for your amazing faith, in our Lord, and your amazing endurance! What a blessing, that you have of those precious gifts! I have prayed hard, and begged for those two gifts, but l do not have them yet. Because something bad, and I’m not sure what, except for self righteousness, keeps me from believing in my prayers. I absolutely believe %100 in every one else’s prayers! But at the moment there is a bad attitude glitch in mine. You helped me , and moved me forward with yours! I do believe God is with you. I am sorry that I can’t be of help., But I do believe that he still here’s me. God be with you forever, and ever!

  8. Hi Rita it is surely not God’s will for you to be jobless and not have your needs provided. He is faithful. The enemy is afraid of you because you believe in exposing the unfruitful works of darkness. He desires to keep you in fear; I pray that you have a job by now. I have been through a season of lack and not having a job and knows how it feels. Rita seek Jesus face and you will have what is in his hand. This is what I had to learn to do. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33. Jesus Loves You, he loves us more than we realize. May God bless you.

  9. I lost my job in March last year because I spoke up against corruption and bullying at work. Since then I’m jobless.

    I’m on my last $6, in huge bank debt which keeps increasing every month, unable to pay bills, unable to put food on the table, or look after my elderly parents anymore. There’s no unemployment support or anything like that where I live.

    I’ve tried so hard to find a good job, and have been praying many times a day for so long seeking his help to solve my problems. But it seems that even god has given up on me.

    I have done everything, tried everywhere, but all I face is rejection everytime.

    I am ashamed to face my parents. I’m lost.

    1. Rita,

      My name is Michael Lyttle. I posted late December about my wife of 38 years dying of stage 4 stomach cancer. I too believed God would heal her and He did. She passed away on Dec.28. Now I was hoping for a miraculous healing that would have given me more time with my wife but it didn’t happen that way. Why do I say He healed her; because she is no longer suffering and at home with Him.

      God doesn’t break promises or go against His own word. The problem is usually on our end. I think there is something more to believing that we don’t know. Christ said that if we just had a mustard seed of faith we could move mountains but how does one obtain a mustard seed of faith?

      I’ve come to the conclusion that our will and desires are superceded by God’s will and desires. He wanted my wife home with Him more than I. If I had a thousand years, I could never love or give to my beloved wife what God is giving her now so I have to put my affectionate selfishness of wanting my wife here and think unselfishly about what’s best for her, and that is being with the Lord.

      Rita, I know nothing about you or your walk with God. I can only speak for myself; my wife’s passing was a sifting to me. It changed me and I will be a better servant and person for the Lord. I came to realize much but I was also very willing to change. I used to be the type of prideful Christian that came up with excuses to defend my faults. Now, all I want to do is get rid of them. I surrendered my self to God and how He does these things is according to what He knows will work. I must and want to trust Him.

      Perhaps something similar is happening to you. Romans 8:28 reads that God works ALL things to work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. He has a purpose for you just as He did for me. On bended knee, pour a humble heart out to Him. An open and contrite heart God will not despise. Ask Him what you can learn from all this that you may better serve Him.

      If you go to church and they know your situation and haven’t helped, then you need to find a new church. At the very least they should have you on a prayer list for your needs and spiritual well being. I will pray for you as well. May God forever bless you.

      1. Rita keep believing God, Michael beautiful testimony, Rita God work on his timing but he work. don’t be ashame face your fears and keep trusting and dont lose faith . Lord know i have been in your shoes and thought i would never come out.But God, now that i look back and say Wow it was you. Love you

  10. I’m living proof prayers come true. My daughter is my reason to believe in prayers. She finally came to me when I was 42 years old. After years and years of … what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I have a baby? I went to the doctors for tests. And, nothing seemed wrong. I kept praying and praying. On my knees begging. And after 22-24 years of wanting. She arrived! Shes my little angel and I can’t thank God enough.

  11. I am living in this right now. Fasting and praying and hanging on to God’s promise to be faithful.

  12. This is so difficult and takes such discipline to give everything over to God with complete faith. My wife and I are waiting to hear what stage cancer she has and as a human being it is so difficult to pray and then be still and and not worry or not be scared. It almost feels like I’m just sweeping it under the rug and not dealing with it. I pray but I need God or someone to show me how to give it over to him completely.

    1. My wife was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer around the same time as your wife. I have struggled with this as well, on my knees crying out to God to heal her. Fully aware of verses that state that whatever you ask believing you will receive, I finally asked God to help me with any doubt or unbelief that may exist. I’m flying out tomorrow to see my wife believing that I’m not going to see a wife who is dying but a wife who is going to live. The testimony, the glory to God, for the unbelievers who are there, and because God’s word is so true absolutely true.

      1. I am so sorry to hear about this. I too pray for God to take my doubt and my fear from me. When I feel the devil pressing me trying to make me fear, I come to God in prayer. Even if I’m at work sitting at my computer, I will get up walk away and find somewhere to pray. It has worked tremendously for me. I will include you and your wife in my prayers.

        May God bless you both

        1. Thank you for your prayers. The Lord took my beloved wife home on 12-28-17 around 7:16am. She went peacefully in her sleep forever to be with the Lord.

          1. Michael. I am so sorry. My love and prayers are with you both. God be with the both you. Take good care

      2. “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto Yahwah, and that they should praise the beauty of His holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise Yahwah, Praise Yahwah; for his mercy endureth for ever!” A kingdom besieged, a King who knew not what to do, but he had the good sense to place his singers and priests at the front of the army. And when the gates of the city were opened, and the army marched out, the battle was already won. 2 Chronicles 20:21

  13. I lost my job AT THE beginning of August and I’m currently looking for a job. I believe in God and I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without him. I pray and I pray but at time my Faith or belief goes away in the way of me trying to handle situations on my own I need to have faith in God and stand still and wait on Him. I have so much bills that’s due and I have no money coming in, I don’t know what to do! I pray to God that everything works out. I have to learn to stand still and wait on Him.

    1. Dear Dexmom,
      I read your post & my heart goes out to you.When you come close to God,the evil one comes & puts his thoughts in midst of your petitions to God.Don’t stop asking,never mind the plans of the evil one.Lord Jesus heard your prayers.He’ll fulfill your wishes.

    2. Author

      Dex Mom – We love you and are praying for you. Find the scriptures on Favor on this site and speak them out. Build it into your heart. We love you. God is faithful. Rex

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