Watch the sermon here.

Summary

In this sermon titled “The Collision of Faith and Prayer,” Dr. John continues a series on prayer, focusing on how faith and prayer work together. He examines Mark 11:22-24 and Matthew 21:21-22, where Jesus teaches about speaking to mountains with faith. Dr. John challenges the congregation to move beyond what he calls “Christian atheism” – believing in God but living as if He doesn’t exist. He emphasizes that true faith requires not only believing that God exists but also believing He rewards those who seek Him. The sermon highlights that effective prayer must be coupled with unwavering faith, where believers speak to their obstacles with authority and expect God’s intervention.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds. As we gather to discuss the powerful connection between faith and prayer, we ask that You would speak clearly to each person in this group. Remove any doubts or hesitations that might prevent us from fully embracing Your promises. Help us to not just hear these truths but to apply them in our daily lives. Guide our conversation and reveal to each of us what You want us to learn today about praying with expectation and faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s the most memorable answer to prayer you’ve experienced in your life, whether big or small?

Key Verses

• “ And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:22-24

• “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”” Matthew 21:21-22

• “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

• “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” James 5:14-15

• “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
  And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

Questions

• Dr. John talks about “Christian atheism” – believing in God but living as if He doesn’t exist. In what areas of your life might you be practicing this without realizing it?

• Hebrews 11:6 says we must believe not only that God exists but also that He rewards those who seek Him. Why do you think believing in God’s rewards is essential to pleasing Him?

• The sermon emphasizes that we should “believe we have received” before we actually see the answer. Why is this concept difficult for many Christians, and how can we grow in this kind of faith?

• How does speaking faith-filled words differ from positive thinking or wishful thinking? What makes faith declarations powerful?

• Dr. John mentioned that “your dominion over the devil is going to be equal to your submission to God.” What does this mean practically in your daily life?

• What “mountains” in your life need to be addressed through faith-filled prayer right now?

• How might using a prayer guide help strengthen your prayer life, as the pastor suggested?

• The sermon states that “the believing that I receive it happens before I get it.” Share about a time when you had to believe for something before you saw any evidence of it.

Life Application

This week, identify one specific “mountain” in your life that seems immovable. Write it down along with at least three promises from Scripture that address this situation. Each day, spend time in prayer about this mountain, but don’t just ask God to move it – thank Him as though He has already done it. After you pray, speak directly to your mountain with authority, declaring God’s promises over it. Throughout the day, when doubts arise, redirect your thoughts to thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness. At the end of the week, journal any changes you’ve noticed in the situation or in your perspective about it.

Key Takeaways

• Faith’s foundation matters – we must have faith in God, not just faith in faith itself.

• True faith requires believing not only that God exists but also that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

• Faith speaks what it believes – our words should align with what we believe God will do.

• The prayer offered in faith is powerful and effective – we must pray with expectation, believing we’ve received before we see the answer.

• Our authority over obstacles comes from our submission to God – the more we submit to Him, the more we can exercise spiritual authority.

Ending Prayer

Lord God, thank You for reminding us of the power that exists when faith and prayer collide. Forgive us for the times we’ve lived as Christian atheists, believing in You but not expecting You to move in our lives. Help us to speak to our mountains with confidence, knowing that You hear us and respond. Strengthen our faith as we practice believing we have received even before we see the evidence. May our hearts be transformed so that what flows from our mouths reflects a deep trust in Your promises. This week, as we apply what we’ve learned, show us Your faithfulness in new and powerful ways. We thank You in advance for the mountains You are moving in our lives. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.