Faith-Filled Prayer: When Believing Really Matters (Mark 11:24)

Faith-Filled Prayer: When Believing Really Matters
By Ken Robinson

Prayer is one of the most frequently discussed aspects of the Christian life, yet for many people, it remains one of the most misunderstood. We know we should pray. We know God hears us. But when we don’t see results—or when we watch others receive answers while we continue to wait—it’s easy to feel confused and disheartened. That’s why today I want to talk about something that might be the missing ingredient in many of our prayers: faith.

Jesus makes a powerful statement in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” That verse is simple on the surface, but its implications are massive. Jesus isn’t saying that prayer is about convincing God to act. He’s saying that prayer is about belief—about trusting that when we pray, something actually happens in the spiritual realm, even before we see it in the natural.

Faith-filled prayer doesn’t mean we never struggle with doubt. It doesn’t mean we’re always full of energy and certainty when we speak to God. In fact, one of the most honest prayers in Scripture comes from a father in crisis. In Mark 9:24, he cries out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And Jesus responds—not to the man’s strength, but to his honesty. That’s the heart of faith-filled prayer. It’s not about perfect words. It’s about a posture of trust.

So how do we move from just saying prayers to truly believing them?

First, we have to understand that faith is more than a feeling. If we rely on how we feel to determine whether or not our prayer “worked,” we’ll always be on shaky ground. Feelings change. Emotions rise and fall. But faith is about placing our trust in something greater than our circumstances—something unshakable. And that something is God’s character.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it’s impossible to please God. It goes on to say that anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. That means we’re not just praying to a distant deity—we’re praying to a Father who listens and responds. But we have to believe that. We have to come with expectations.

In my own life, I’ve seen this principle play out time and again. There have been moments where I’ve prayed with complete clarity and faith, and God answered in ways I could never have predicted. There have also been times where I prayed while full of questions and doubts. But every time I’ve come to God in honesty and trust—even with shaky faith—He’s met me there.

Now, you might be wondering, “Does this mean if I don’t get what I prayed for, I didn’t have enough faith?” Let me say clearly: this is not about earning answers. It’s not about getting the formula right. Faith isn’t a vending machine. You don’t put in the correct prayer and pull out a guaranteed result. What faith does is position your heart to receive—whether the answer comes today, next year, or looks entirely different from what you expected.

Sometimes faith means trusting God enough to keep praying, even when there’s no visible change. Sometimes it means choosing not to give up, even when the silence feels overwhelming. And sometimes faith means releasing your grip on how you think God should respond—and letting Him be God.

So what does it look like to actually pray with faith in your daily life?

1. It starts with remembering who God is. Before you ask for anything, take time to remind yourself of His character. He is good. He is powerful. He is near. Then ask boldly. Don’t be afraid to bring your full heart to God—your needs, your desires, your hopes. Be specific. Be real. Be honest. Next, add thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6 tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. That means we thank Him even before we see the result. Why? Because thanksgiving is a declaration of trust. It says, “God, I believe You’re already working.”
   
   

2. It’s also important to watch the words you speak after you pray. Too often, we cancel our prayers with our own mouths. We pray for provision, then turn around and talk about how we’ll never get ahead. We pray for healing, then speak fear and doubt over our situation. Speaking life matters. Let your words reflect your trust in God.

3. Finally, surround yourself with people who will stand by your side in faith. When your own faith feels weak, borrow strength from others. Let them pray for you, speak encouragement into your life, and remind you of what’s true.
   
   

One of the greatest truths I’ve learned is this: faith isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it looks like simply praying again. Sometimes it looks like getting up, showing up, and choosing not to quit. That kind of faith may not feel spectacular—but it moves heaven. And God honours it.

So if you’ve been praying and waiting… if you’ve been wondering why others seem to get answers while you sit in silence… ask yourself this: have I been praying with faith, or just about faith?

And if you feel like your faith is small today, remember what Jesus said: faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move mountains. He’s not asking you to have it all figured out. He’s just asking you to trust Him.

Faith-filled prayer doesn’t guarantee that life will always go the way you hope. But it does guarantee that you won’t walk it alone. It means you’ll experience peace even before you see the breakthrough. And it means your heart will be open to receive—whatever God knows is best for you.

If this message resonates with you, I invite you to listen to Episode 10 of A Week Ahead With God, where we go even deeper into this topic. You’ll find encouragement, practical steps, and biblical truth to strengthen your faith and help you pray with boldness and trust. Visit KenRobinson.com to subscribe or listen on your favourite podcast platform.

Keep praying. Keep believing. And keep walking with God. He’s listening—and He’s not finished yet.