Prayers Made in Faith: What’s the Distinction and Why Is It Important?
What Is Prayer?
Is prayer simply the act of folding our hands and bowing our heads? Why do we often reduce it to a mere ritual—conforming our bodies into a submissive posture while silently asking for help from an unseen, unheard God? Is this truly what prayer is? Is it merely a call for assistance to the Almighty?
Many people view prayer as just that—asking God for help, often treating it like a spiritual 911 call in times of trouble. Others see prayer as a way of communicating with God, yet for many, this communication feels one-sided since they do not hear Him speak back. Meanwhile, those who claim to hear from God are often met with skepticism.
But what does the Bible actually say about prayer?
The True Meaning of Prayer
Biblically, prayer is not merely asking for help; it is an act of worship. In the Old Testament, prayer was inseparably linked to worship and sacrifice. God’s people would bring their firstfruits and offerings to the temple as a means of worship and repentance. Sacrifices were made, and the entire process—from the first step to the last—was an act of prayer.
So first and foremost, prayer is an act of worship.
But beyond that, what is its purpose? The goal of prayer is not to change God’s mind or inform Him of our struggles—as if He were unaware. The purpose of prayer is to align our will with God’s will.
Aligning Our Will to God’s Will
We live in a world filled with responsibilities and distractions. With the demands of 21st-century life, how can we even begin to discern God’s will—let alone align ourselves with it? A once-a-week check-in at church is not enough. While church is important and beneficial, its primary purpose is not to provide you with a personalized roadmap for your life.
So how do we pause, step back, and reassess where our lives are headed? Through prayer.
Prayer forces us to stop depending on ourselves and instead submit to someone greater. In a way, prayer resembles begging—you only beg when you recognize that you are utterly in need. True prayer requires humility, submission, and a deep recognition of our dependence on God.
Unfortunately, many of us unknowingly approach prayer in a way that bends God’s will to conform to ours. We come to Him with demands, expecting Him to fix our problems as we see fit. But that is not faith-filled prayer—that is an attempt to control God.
Prayers Made in Faith vs. Prayers Apart from Faith
What’s the Difference?
Prayers made apart from faith lack a proper understanding of God’s character, nature, and attributes. When we pray without faith, we beg and plead as if God is unaware of our struggles. These kinds of prayers treat God as though He has forgotten us or failed to act on our behalf.
And let’s be honest—this is how most of us pray. We approach God without remembering His goodness, faithfulness, and love. We fail to acknowledge that He delights in hearing from us, just as a loving Father longs to hear from His child.
Instead of trusting in His perfect knowledge, we come to Him as if we need to remind Him of our situation. In doing so, we subtly imply that God has somehow overlooked our needs.
The Truth About God’s Care for Us
Brothers and sisters in Christ, hear this: God knows exactly what you are going through.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)
He is not absent. He has never turned away from you. If you ever doubt His care, remember this:
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV)
If God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for you, how could you ever think He does not care about your situation? His love for you is greater than anything you could ever comprehend.
Praying in Faith Pleases God
Faith-filled prayer means approaching God knowing who He is—knowing that He is in control of your situation. This kind of prayer pleases Him because it demonstrates trust. It acknowledges that God has already proven His love and that He is more than capable of handling your circumstances.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
When you truly trust God, you stop seeing your problems as overwhelming—instead, you see them in light of His greatness. Just as a shadow looks large from a certain angle, if you look at it from the Light above, it looks very small.
Conclusion: Why the Distinction Matters
Understanding the difference between praying in faith and praying apart from faith is crucial. God is pleased with prayers made in faith—not because of eloquent words or emotional expressions, but because of the faith that trusts in His Son’s finished work.
Faith-filled prayer allows you to fall into the arms of your heavenly Father, knowing that He cares deeply for you. It prevents you from running and hiding from God like Adam did in the Garden of Eden. Instead, it invites you to run to Him—to the only One who can truly help, heal, and save.
Jesus died with His arms open wide so that you would always know He is ready and waiting for you. The cross itself is a reminder of His never-ending invitation to come to Him.
Will you accept it?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)
