Blog 7 - The Role of Faith: Activating God’s Power Through Trust

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for effective prayer: the true nature of faith. But before we get into this topic, I want to share a personal story that highlighted, for me, the experience of faith. So, take a moment to settle in, and let me paint a picture for you:

Imagine standing in the middle of Hong Kong International Airport, surrounded by thousands of protesters, the threat of clashing police, having no local currency, no contacts, and no way out. Now imagine feeling an inexplicable sense of excitement rather than fear. That’s precisely where I found myself a few years ago, and it taught me more about faith than a lifetime of sermons ever could.

This wild experience opened my eyes to what faith really means in our prayer lives, especially when it comes to strategic intercession. And let me tell you, it’s probably not what you think. So, are you ready to challenge some common misconceptions about faith and discover how true faith can revolutionize your prayer life? Let’s dive in!

Unmasking the Faith Myth

When you think about faith in the context of prayer, what comes to mind? Do you feel a personal responsibility to somehow muster up enough belief? Let’s be honest: Faith can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes to prayer.

Too often, we hear faith taught as a guarantee for getting what we want, or worse, as a measure of our spiritual prowess. Have you ever caught yourself thinking:

• “If I’m not healed, I must not have enough faith.”
• “If the person I prayed for wasn’t healed, it means they didn’t have enough faith.”
• “I’d better pray for something smaller. My faith can’t support that big request.”

These thoughts aren’t just discouraging; they’re downright cruel. They place an unbearable burden on people who are already suffering, adding shame and guilt to their pain. I’ve seen the devastation this kind of thinking can cause, and it breaks my heart.

But here’s the truth: that’s not biblical faith, and it’s certainly not the kind of faith that powers effective strategic intercession. Understanding this can bring a profound sense of relief, knowing that faith is not a burden to bear but a gift to receive.

I think there can be a misapplication of the idea of faith, as though believing for something rather than believing in Someone while bulldozing ahead can force the hand of God.

Risk-taking and self-fueled belief in a pre-specified outcome, by itself, does not move God's hand. Even Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way." (John 5:19) With that said, when filled with faith, we take risks and trust walking forward into the call of God, we most definitely see profound moves of God!

When prayers are not answered in the way one hopes, faith involves trusting that God is good and that His plans are ultimately for the best, even if they are not immediately understood.

In essence, faith isn't about controlling outcomes but about trusting in God's love and sovereignty, regardless of the circumstances. This understanding brings a sense of freedom, knowing that our faith is not about manipulating God but about resting in His love and wisdom.

The Bible provides examples of people of great faith who experienced different outcomes than they had hoped. For instance, while some received miraculous interventions, others faced trials and suffering yet maintained their faith. In Hebrews chapter eleven, believers who were sawn in two were featured in what I like to call “God’s Faith Hall of Fame,” a section that honors those who demonstrated unwavering faith in the face of adversity!

Redefining Faith: The Heart of Trust

So, if faith isn’t about believing hard enough to twist God’s arm, what is it? Let’s turn to Scripture for clarity. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The Message version puts it beautifully:

“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (The Message)

At its core, faith is a deep trust in the goodness of God, regardless of the outcomes we see. It’s being utterly convinced of His love and intentions toward us, even when circumstances seem to contradict it.

Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Facing a fiery furnace, they declared, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18, ESV). Their faith wasn’t in a specific outcome but in God’s goodness, period.

Or consider Jesus in Gethsemane, praying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, ESV). That’s the heart of true faith – trusting in the Father’s goodness even when facing the cross.

While studying Israel's Exodus period in my Bible this morning, I was reminded by reading the study guide notes, "Our anxiety about God’s goodness is as old as humanity. God wants His people to trust His goodwill toward them, and their wilderness journey provides numerous opportunities to trust Him...God repeatedly shows His people that He is good and He is all they need." ¹

Faith: A Divine Gift, Not a Human Achievement

Here’s another crucial point that often gets overlooked: faith isn’t just a human effort. Hebrews 12:2 calls Jesus the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” (NIV). The King James Version uses the terms “author and finisher.” This verse tells us that faith is not solely our endeavor but a gift given and sustained by God. In fact, 1 Corinthians 12:7-9 lists faith as one of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

Faith is not solely our endeavor but a gift given and sustained by God.

Let me share a powerful example of this gift in action:

My friend Lana, an apostolic leader, was ministering in the Philippines when a man died during one of her services. Even though he was medically confirmed dead, she felt an overwhelming surge of faith – a special gift for that moment. She commanded life over him, and he revived. Her faith in that moment matched the miracle, a gift she recognized as a special dispensation for what God wanted to do.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Raising the dead? That’s a bit far-fetched.” But remember, Hebrews 6:2 mentions raising the dead as an elemental teaching. It shouldn’t be controversial, yet it’s so far out of the realm of most people’s practice of faith. That’s precisely why I’m sharing this story. Lana doesn’t routinely raise people from the dead, but in that moment, God gifted her with extraordinary faith to do just that.

When Faith Meets Chaos: A Personal Journey

Now, let me share the wild story of Hong Kong that I mentioned earlier. It illustrates how faith can manifest as trust in God’s goodness, even in the most chaotic or challenging circumstances.

A few years ago, I found myself in an unbelievable situation at Hong Kong International Airport. I had scheduled a one-week layover there on my way to a leadership meeting in Malaysia, hoping to beat jet lag and reconnect with old friends. What I didn’t know was that I was about to land in the middle of a massive pro-democracy demonstration.

Unexpected Chaos in Hong Kong

As soon as I passed through immigration, I was engulfed in chaos. Tens of thousands of protesters had disrupted airport operations. Propaganda leaflets were handed to me depicting violence and imminent danger. Bathrooms were gutted by the crowds, and all businesses were closed. Airport staff were reporting that their government had announced a shutdown of all public transportation as well as the internet. The currency exchange was closed, and I had zero Hong Kong dollars. To make matters worse, my hosts were stranded in Vietnam, and flights were suspended for days.

Faith Rises Amid Mounting Challenges

As each piece of this experience unfolded and my circumstances became increasingly more dire, internally, I was not feeling distress at all; instead, I was feeling elation! Fascinated, I grew in curiosity for how God was going to rescue me. My eyes were wide open to see how He was going to do it; I was absolutely certain He would.

The Elijah Parallel: Impossible Odds

Do you remember the story of Elijah’s Mount Carmel victory? He dug a trench around that altar, and water drenched the sacrifice, wood, and stones three times, even filling the trench. Elijah made the chance of unlikely spontaneous combustion utterly impossible. Even so, the fire of the Lord came anyway and consumed everything, even licking up the water. The response of the witnesses? They fell on their faces, saying, “The Lord, He is God!”

Well, as circumstances stacked against me and my rescue at the airport, the story of Elijah saturated my soul, filling me with joy in recognition I was about to experience a miracle. Every new presenting difficulty felt like water poured on Elijah’s sacrifice. I cannot explain why I wasn’t fearful in a foreign country in the middle of a dangerous crisis, stranded, with no way out …except in terms of God granting me extraordinary faith in that moment.

And what is so exhilarating for me about this story is how God did rescue me through a sequence of incredibly unlikely happenings, like the spontaneous combustion of Elijah’s altar. The Lord, He is God!

Divine Appointments Unfold

At baggage claim, I met a harried couple with a son who looked to be around four years old. The dad seemed steady, but the mom was visibly distressed. As we discussed transportation options amidst the chaos, we bonded when she discovered we were both from Maryland, sharing some fun accent particulars. Then, life started to get interesting.

We headed toward the taxi stand as they knew their way around, hoping somehow, among thousands of people, they could still hail a car. The man heard my story of being stranded and took me to an obscure ATM to get local currency. He knew of one tucked away that might still contain money. The hall was crammed to overflowing with dissenters. Mom and boy waited for us by all of our luggage.

A Miracle Amidst the Crowd

Meanwhile, someone asked the mom a question, and in that moment of distraction, her son slipped away, lost in the sea of protesters. As the dad and I returned, we found her WAILING loudly, surrounded by attentive bystanders. She provided a phone photo of her son, and dozens of people snapped photos of her screen and immediately dispersed, holding their smartphones in the air like lighters at a rock concert, calling out to others for the boy in Chinese. While that happened, the drama of our little grouping became the subject of the international media’s flashing cameras.

Within five minutes, we heard cheers across the airport. The boy was found and lifted above the crowd, passed overhead from one protester to the next to return him to his sobbing mother. As nurses tended to the mom, checking her pulse, I moved in closer and whispered, “My middle child is autistic. She got lost a lot. I know how this feels. I’m so sorry. I’m so happy he was found right away.”

Praying Peace into Chaos

She looked at me with wide eyes and said, “My boy is autistic, too!” It was such a divine appointment. I asked if she was a woman of faith, and when she lit up with a “YES!”, I prayed over her right there in the airport, praying for PEACE and CALM, welcoming Holy Spirit into the situation. I watched as she visibly calmed, looking at me in utter amazement.

Divine Handoffs

From that point on, it was like a series of divine handoffs. Compassionate protesters stepped in to offer the family a private car ride home. Then, other kind souls, considering me part of the family needing help, immediately tended to me with equal compassion. I was escorted directly to the Metro with full instructions on how to navigate public transportation, but I was never left alone.

One protester delivered me to the Metro, and another moved in immediately to talk with me and get me safely on board my train, waiting with me for over an hour. It was like a hand-off from one angel to the next. As he left, another rode the metro rail line with me and disembarked only one stop ahead of mine. That’s when the texts with further directions began arriving from my host, Jody, who was stranded in Vietnam. She set up for her houseboat neighbor, Stu, to meet me as soon as I got off the train.

From Peril to Unexpected Luxury

Stu, a scrappy 55-year-old Brit, met me at my final stop. He led me through dark streets to a rat-infested parking garage near the wharf, like something out of a horror movie. There was a rusty black metal spiral staircase to one side, and to my surprise, we ascended to emerge at the Five Star Aberdeen Boat Club overlooking the water and docks, revealing a spectacular view.

Over a gourmet dinner (that I couldn’t have afforded), Stu and I talked about life, regrets, and fresh starts. I shared about God’s goodness, and I could see the seeds of hope being planted in his heart.

Safe Harbor and God's Faithfulness

By the end of this wild adventure, I found myself safely delivered to my hosts’ houseboat, having experienced a series of divine interventions that could only be described as miraculous. As I sat on the boat that night, I couldn’t help but praise God in awe of His incredible rescue – one that could have never happened apart from His orchestration and intervention.

This experience taught me so much about faith. Even amid chaos and uncertainty, God granted me an unwavering confidence that He would come through. And He did, in ways I could never have imagined! I believe faith like that is a gift in the moment, granted by God and then used by Him to do great things. We can position ourselves for such gifts through union with Him as we co-labor in prayer and service with Him.

Applying Faith in Strategic Intercession

So, how do we apply this understanding of faith to our strategic intercession? Here are some practical steps:

1. Pray with confidence in God’s character: Approach Him as one who is dearly loved by Him, fully assured of His power and goodness. Remind yourself of His faithfulness in the past.
2. Align your prayers with God’s will: Hold your desires with open hands, trusting His wisdom above your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.
3. Use faith as a shield: As Ephesians 6:16 teaches, let your faith protect you from the enemy’s attacks. When doubts arise about God’s intentions toward you, counter them with truths about God’s nature.
4. Cultivate receptivity to God’s goodness: Remember Psalm 81:10, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Are you approaching God with expectancy?

   Let me share a personal reflection here. When I was a kid, my siblings would say, “Close your eyes and open your mouth,” I wouldn’t dare! I didn’t trust them. They might put a bug in my mouth! But with God, it’s different. When He tells us to open our mouths, it’s an invitation to trust.

   Is that how we think about Him when we pray? Or are we trying to orchestrate our own solutions because we want to solve our problems rather than opening our mouths to allow God to fill them with good things? What are you expecting from God? As Psalm 18:25 says, “To the faithful, You show Yourself faithful.”

5. Pray boldly, convinced of God’s faithfulness: Your faith isn’t about your ability to believe hard enough but about being rooted in God’s unchanging nature.
6. Be open to God’s gift of faith: Sometimes, God may grant you extraordinary faith in specific situations. Stay attuned to His Spirit and be ready to step out in obedience when they come.

Embracing True Faith in Strategic Intercession

As we wrap up, I want to challenge you. When you approach your times of strategic intercession, ask yourself:

• Am I praying with genuine, biblical faith rooted in knowing the character of God?
• Am I approaching God with the confidence of one who is cherished, fully assured of His power?
• Am I open to receiving God’s gift of faith, even for situations that seem impossible?

Remember, faith in strategic intercession isn’t about manipulating outcomes. It’s about trusting in God’s love, wisdom, and sovereignty. It’s about aligning our hearts with His will and praying with the authority He’s given us.

I encourage you to step into a new level of strategic intercession today. Start by praying boldly, rooted in your understanding of God’s unfailing goodness. Don’t let circumstances dictate your faith; instead, let your faith shape your perspective on circumstances.

Pray according to your understanding of God’s goodness despite circumstances. Recognize that the gift of God can propel you into extraordinary experiences with His provision. Be open to those gifts of faith, and don’t be afraid to step out in obedience when they come.

This week, I challenge you to identify one area where you’ve hesitated to pray boldly. Take that to God, trusting in His goodness, and see how He moves. Your prayers, anchored in trust and empowered by God’s gift of faith, can lead to extraordinary experiences of His provision and power in your life and those you’re interceding for.

When I faced that emergency in Hong Kong, I had Intercessors praying for me in real-time. If you want to dive deeper into building a powerful prayer shield for yourself, get your free copy of my e-book and audiobook “Prayer Shield: A Guide to the Strategic Intercession You Need.”

Remember, your faith is the launching pad for your prayers, but it’s God’s faithfulness that brings the answers. Keep believing, keep declaring, and watch as God moves mountains through your strategic intercession. Until next time, stay faithful and keep praying strategically!

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