Faith and Prayer: Trusting God in Every Season
By Pastor Jeff Hoisington
Faith and prayer are two of the most important aspects of a believer’s walk with God. Faith is trusting in God even when we can’t see the outcome, and prayer is how we communicate with Him. Yet, many of us struggle with faith at times because we think it means never having doubts. But the Bible teaches that faith isn’t about our own ability to believe—it’s about trusting in God’s character and His promises.
What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) defines faith beautifully:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
One word in that verse stands out—“Now.” Faith is not just for the future; it’s for right now. No matter our circumstances, we can trust that God is faithful to His Word.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for. And hope is powerful.
Hope allows us to take the situation out of our hands and place it in God’s hands. It is more than just optimism—it is the assurance that God’s plan is always for our good, even when we may not see it in the moment.
Francis Frangipane once said:
“Any area of our lives that doesn’t glisten with hope means we’re believing a lie, and that area is a stronghold for the devil in our lives.”
That’s why renewing our minds with God’s truth is so important. The more time we spend in His Word—reading, meditating, and praying—the stronger our faith becomes. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Faith in Action: Peter Walks on Water
One of the most powerful examples of faith in action is found in Matthew 14:25-31, when Peter walked on water.
Jesus had just finished praying alone when He came to His disciples by walking across the sea. The disciples, caught in a violent windstorm, were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter, always bold, responded, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And Jesus simply said, “Come.”
Right in the middle of the storm, Peter trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat and walk on water.
But then something changed. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves instead. Fear crept in, and he began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out His hand to save him, saying:
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
How often do we do the same? We start strong in faith, but when challenges arise, we let fear take over. Instead of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we focus on the storm around us.
The good news is that Jesus never lets us sink. When we call out to Him, He is always there to lift us up.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, remember this: You don’t have to do it alone. Keep your faith anchored in Jesus, and He will get you through every storm.
Faith and Prayer Work Together
Faith is not meant to stand alone—it is strengthened through prayer.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus said:
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Faith fuels our prayers, and prayer strengthens our faith. When we pray, we’re not just speaking words—we are exercising faith, trusting that God hears us and will answer according to His perfect will.
The Power of Persistent Prayer: Elijah’s Story
One of the greatest biblical examples of faith-filled prayer is found in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah prayed for rain after a long drought.
Elijah believed that God would answer, even though there was no sign of rain at first. After praying, he sent his servant to check the sky.
- The first time? Nothing.
- The second time? Still nothing.
- The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth time? Nothing.
But on the seventh time, his servant finally saw a small cloud rising in the distance. Shortly after, the sky was filled with dark clouds, and a heavy rain poured down.
Elijah’s story teaches us two things:
- Sometimes we must keep praying and believing, even when we don’t see immediate results.
- God is always faithful to answer in His perfect timing.
Your faith-filled prayers have power. They can change lives, open doors, bring peace in troubled times, heal the sick, restore relationships, and even move mountains.
Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed
Jesus said in Matthew 17:20:
“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
A mustard seed is tiny, but when planted in the right soil, it grows into a large tree. That’s how our faith works—it’s meant to grow! Even a small amount of faith, when placed in God, can produce incredible results.
Strengthening Your Faith and Prayer Life
Faith and prayer are like muscles—the more we use them, the stronger they become. Here are a few ways to strengthen them:
- Read and Meditate on God’s Word – Fill your heart with His promises. (Romans 10:17)
- Pray with Boldness and Expectation – Pray big prayers and trust God to move! (Mark 11:24)
- Share Your Testimony – Your story of God’s faithfulness can inspire and encourage others. (Revelation 19:10)
- Step Out in Obedience – Faith is meant to be lived out! Listen to God’s voice and follow where He leads. (James 2:17)
A Call to Faith
Faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who does.
Maybe today, you’re struggling to trust God’s promises. Maybe you’ve been praying, but you feel like nothing is happening. Or maybe you just want to grow deeper in your faith.
If that’s you, I encourage you to take a step of faith today. Just as Jesus reached out to Peter, He is reaching out to you right now.
A Prayer for Faith and Strength
“Lord, thank You for the gift of faith and the power of prayer. Help us to trust You completely, even when we don’t see the answer right away. Strengthen our faith today and teach us to pray with boldness. We believe that nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
No matter where you are on your journey, know this: God is faithful. He sees you, He hears you, and He is working in ways you can’t even imagine. Keep believing, keep praying, and keep your eyes on Jesus.
