Sep 30, 2026 · Disciple Class
Ministering: Father Abraham
The Shield of Faith and Prayer
Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:16
Prayer and faith work together; they work hand in hand. There is no prayer without faith, and there is no faith without prayer.
If we do not pray in faith, we are speaking empty words, because God hears words that are born out of faith.
Mark 11:24 says:
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
It is belief that is the vehicle that transports our prayers to God. Therefore, we must be able to build our faith before we speak out.
A disciple doesn’t just say words; he or she approaches God with confidence in God’s character and His ability to do what is needful.
Prayer expresses our dependence on God, while faith expresses our confidence in God.
FAITH IS NOT IMAGINARY OR PRESUMPTION
Faith is not imaginary, nor is it presumption. Faith is an important foundation for discipleship.
Faith does not mean that God should do everything we want. A man of faith is one who can say:
“God, I trust You even when I don’t understand everything.”
True faith completely trusts in God’s wisdom and power.
Luke 2:24 — [Scripture reference as given in the teaching.]
Faith is therefore not simply believing that God will do whatever we desire. Faith is trusting God enough to submit to His wisdom, His character, and His will, even when we do not understand everything.
THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF FAITH
1. FAITH IN GOD
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
This has to do with who God is.
Faith begins with believing in God—believing that He exists, that He is who He says He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Our faith is therefore not built around circumstances; it is built around the character of God.
2. FAITH IN GOD’S WORD
Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
This is faith in all that God has said.
Our faith must have a foundation, and that foundation is the Word of God. We do not build our faith merely on feelings, circumstances, or what we see around us. We build our faith on what God has spoken.
The more we hear and receive God’s Word, the more our faith is strengthened.
3. FAITH IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
2 Timothy 2:13
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
God is faithful to do what He has said He will do according to His Word.
Even in our faithlessness, God remains faithful.
God will remain faithful to His character and His promises. Our faith may change, but God remains a faithful God.
Our confidence, therefore, is not ultimately in the strength of our faith; it is in the faithfulness of the God in whom we have placed our faith.
PRACTICAL DISCIPLESHIP EXERCISES
As disciples, we must learn to apply faith when we are confronted with different situations.
When Fear Comes
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God…”
When the enemy throws a fiery dart at us to cause us to fear, we can hold on to God’s truth.
Instead of allowing fear to control us, we remind ourselves of what God has said: He is with us, He is our God, He will strengthen us, and He will help us.
When Doubt Comes
Mark 9:23
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
When doubt comes, we can return to God’s truth.
Faith does not mean that doubt will never come. It means that when doubt comes, we choose to place our confidence in what God has said.
When Anxiety Comes
Philippians 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
When anxiety comes, God’s truth gives us a response: pray, make our requests known to God, and do so with thanksgiving.
Prayer becomes an expression of our dependence on God, while faith becomes our confidence that God is able to sustain us.
STATEMENTS OF FAITH
- Faith is my shield.
- God’s Word is the foundation of my faith.
- Faith protects me against spiritual attacks.
- Faith must be exercised, not only spoken.
- Trials reveal and develop the quality of my faith.
- Faith does not deny reality; it trusts God in reality.
- I must keep my shield lifted until I have finished standing.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of the shield is not only to help us enter into battle, but also to help us stand in the battle until we finish it.
PRAYER POINT
- In the name of Jesus Christ, I quench every arrow of the devil by the shield of faith.
