Prayer for Faith: When You’re Not Sure You Believe Anymore
Prayer for faith is a conversation with God where you’re honest about your wavering belief and ask Him to increase your trust and conviction.
It’s not about having perfect belief before you pray—it’s about bringing your doubt, your questions, and your uncertainty directly to God and asking Him to strengthen what little faith you have left.
The beautiful paradox is this: the prayer itself is an act of faith.
What the Bible Says About Praying for Faith
You’re in incredibly good company when you pray for faith. Scripture is full of people who struggled with belief:
Mark 9:24 – A father whose son was possessed by a demon said to Jesus: “I believe; help my unbelief!”
This is the patron saint verse for everyone who’s ever struggled with faith. He didn’t pretend to have perfect faith. He admitted he was trying but also really uncertain. And Jesus didn’t rebuke him—He healed his son. The prayer for faith was enough.
Luke 17:5 – The disciples asked Jesus directly: “Increase our faith!”
These were the men who walked with Jesus daily, saw miracles, heard His teachings firsthand—and they still needed faith boosts. If they needed to pray for stronger faith, you’re definitely allowed to.
Psalm 13:1 – David cried out: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?”
David questioned. He struggled. And God called him “a man after my own heart.” Your honest questions don’t disqualify you.
Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Notice it doesn’t say “absolute certainty with zero questions.” It says confidence and assurance—which can coexist with some uncertainty.
James 1:6 – “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.”
James isn’t saying you can’t have any doubts ever. He’s saying bring your whole self—including your doubts—and trust that God can handle them.
Essential Bible Verses on Faith
- Matthew 17:20 – “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- Ephesians 2:8 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Emergency Prayers for Struggling Faith
When Doubt Feels Overwhelming
“God, I’m not sure I believe all of this right now. Parts of it feel impossible, and I’m tired of pretending I have it figured out. But I’m still here, still talking to You, which has to count for something. Help me believe. Strengthen whatever small seed of faith I’ve got left. When I can’t feel Your presence, help me trust You’re there anyway. Like the father in Mark 9, I believe—help my unbelief. Amen.”
The Brutally Honest Prayer
“God, I’m not even sure You’re there. I’m not sure any of this is real. But I want it to be. I want to believe. If You’re listening, please help me. Show me You’re real. I’m desperate for faith. Amen.”
Ultra-Short Faith Prayer
“Jesus, I want to believe. Help me. Amen.”
Breath Prayer for Faith
Inhale: “Lord, I believe” / Exhale: “Help my unbelief”
Inhale: “Increase my faith” / Exhale: “Decrease my doubt”
Inhale: “You are real” / Exhale: “Help me trust”
Prayers for Building Stronger Faith
Daily Faith Prayer
“God, as I start this day, I ask for faith to see You in ordinary moments. Help me recognize Your presence in conversations, in challenges, in unexpected joy. When doubts creep in (and they will), gently redirect my thoughts back to You. Let my faith grow not through dramatic experiences, but through daily choosing to trust You. Amen.”
Prayer for Unwavering Faith
“Father, I want faith that’s steady and sure, not tossed around by every circumstance. Root my trust in who You are, not in how I feel. When my emotions lie to me, let Your truth speak louder. Build in me a faith that lasts—not because I’m strong, but because You are. Amen.”
Prayer for Mustard Seed Faith
“Lord Jesus, You said faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. My faith feels even smaller than that right now. But I’m bringing this tiny, struggling faith to You and asking You to grow it. Take what little I have and multiply it. Let it grow into something substantial. Amen.”
Prayer Based on Luke 17:5
“Lord, increase my faith. Like Your disciples, I’m asking for more trust, more belief, more confidence in You. I don’t want to stay where I am spiritually. Grow my faith. Deepen my relationship with You. Help me trust You more tomorrow than I do today. Amen.”
Prayers During Trials and Suffering
When Circumstances Shake Your Faith
“Jesus, right now everything feels heavy and I don’t understand what You’re doing. My circumstances are shaking my faith, and I need You to hold me steady. Remind me that You’re sovereign even when life feels chaotic. Help me trust Your goodness even when I can’t see the plan. Be my anchor when everything else is shifting. Amen.”
When Pain Makes You Question God
“God, this hurts. And honestly, I’m angry. I’m questioning why You’d allow this. I’m struggling to believe You’re good when life feels so hard. But I’m choosing to bring these doubts to You instead of walking away. Help me see Your hand in this. Restore my trust. Don’t let this pain destroy my faith. Amen.”
When You Feel Spiritually Dry
“Father, I feel nothing right now. Prayer feels empty. Scripture feels like words on a page. I can’t sense Your presence at all. But I’m showing up anyway. I’m choosing to believe You’re here even when I don’t feel You. Water this dry, desert season of my soul. Revive my faith. Amen.”
When Unanswered Prayer Tests Your Faith
“Lord, I’ve been praying and nothing has changed. I’m starting to wonder if You’re listening, if You care, if prayer even works. Help me trust Your timing. Help me believe You’re working even when I can’t see it. Give me faith to keep praying when the silence feels deafening. Amen.”
Scripture-Based Faith Prayers
Based on Mark 9:24
“God, I’m like the father who brought his son to You. I want to believe. I’m trying to believe. But I’m also full of doubt and uncertainty. So I’m praying his prayer: I believe—help my unbelief. Meet me in this messy middle ground between faith and doubt. Amen.”
Based on Hebrews 11:1
“Father, Your Word says faith is confidence in what I hope for and assurance about what I can’t see. Right now I don’t feel confident or assured about anything. But I’m asking You to build that confidence in me. Help me hope when hope feels foolish. Help me trust what I cannot see. Amen.”
Based on Romans 10:17
“Lord, faith comes from hearing Your Word. So I’m asking You to speak to me through Scripture. Open my eyes to see You in the Bible. Let Your Word come alive in my heart. As I read and hear about Christ, grow my faith. Let truth sink deep into my soul. Amen.”
Based on Proverbs 3:5-6
“God, You tell me to trust You with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. That’s hard when my mind is full of questions and my understanding says none of this makes sense. Help me trust You anyway. Guide my path even when I can’t see where it’s going. Acknowledge me as I acknowledge You. Amen.”
Morning Prayers for Faith
Starting Your Day With Faith
“Father, I don’t know what today holds, but I know You hold today. Before my doubts have a chance to whisper their lies, I’m choosing to trust You. Give me faith for this day—not for tomorrow or next week, just for the next 24 hours. Help me see evidence of Your presence. Amen.”
For Courage to Believe
“God, believing feels risky. Trusting feels vulnerable. Part of me wants to protect myself by not hoping, not trusting, not believing. But I’m asking for courage to believe anyway. Give me bravery to put my faith in You even when I’m afraid of being disappointed. Let today be a day my faith grows. Amen.”
Simple Morning Surrender
“Lord, I give You my doubts, my questions, my wavering faith. I can’t fix my own belief. You have to do that. I’m trusting You to grow faith in me today. Amen.”
Evening Prayers for Faith
When Doubt Kept You Up
“Father, I’m ending this day the way I started it—uncertain and full of questions. But I’m still here. I’m still talking to You. I’m still hoping this is real. Guard my heart tonight. Let me wake up with renewed faith. Even if it’s just a little bit stronger than today. Amen.”
Surrendering Unbelief Before Sleep
“God, I release all the doubt and uncertainty I carried today. I can’t carry it into tomorrow too. Take it from me. Let me rest knowing You’re big enough to handle my questions. Give me faith that outlasts my feelings. Restore my trust as I sleep. Amen.”
Prayers for Specific Faith Struggles
When You Can’t Feel God
“Lord, I can’t feel You. I pray and hear nothing. I worship and feel empty. I read Scripture and it’s just words. I know You promise never to leave me, but it feels like You’re absent. Help me trust Your presence even when I don’t feel it. Let faith be stronger than feelings. Amen.”
When Intellectual Doubts Attack Faith
“God, my mind is full of questions. Things don’t add up. Parts of faith don’t make logical sense. I’m struggling to reconcile what I know intellectually with what I’m supposed to believe spiritually. Give me wisdom. Help me trust You with the questions I can’t answer. Let faith and reason coexist in me. Amen.”
When Others’ Faith Makes You Feel Inadequate
“Father, everyone else seems to have such strong faith. They talk about You with such certainty, and I feel like I’m faking it. I compare my struggling faith to their confident belief and feel like a failure. Remind me that You meet each person where they are. Help me stop comparing and start growing. Amen.”
When Past Disappointment Damaged Faith
“Lord, I trusted You before and felt let down. I prayed and nothing happened. I believed and was disappointed. Now I’m afraid to have faith again because hoping hurts when nothing changes. Heal the wounds that damaged my trust. Help me risk believing again. Amen.”
Gratitude Prayers That Build Faith
Remembering God’s Faithfulness
“Father, even though I’m struggling to believe right now, I can remember times You showed up: [name 3-5 specific moments—a prayer answered, a provision, a timely help, a unexpected blessing]. You were faithful then. Help me trust You’ll be faithful now. Let these memories strengthen my wavering faith. Amen.”
Finding God in Small Things
“God, help me see You in the ordinary: in morning coffee, in a friend’s text, in sunshine, in breath in my lungs. When I can’t see You in big miracles, help me notice You in small mercies. Build my faith through daily evidences of Your presence. Thank You for being here even when I can’t fully sense it. Amen.”
How to Pray for Faith: Simple Steps
When doubt feels overwhelming and you don’t know how to pray, follow these steps:
1. Start With Brutal Honesty
God already knows what you’re thinking. “God, I’m not sure You’re there. I’m not sure this is real. But I want it to be. Help me believe.” Real always beats religious.
2. Name Your Specific Doubts
Don’t just say “I doubt everything.” Get specific. “I doubt You hear me. I doubt You care. I doubt miracles are real. I doubt the resurrection.” Name what you’re struggling with.
3. Ask God to Increase What Little Faith You Have
“I have this tiny bit of belief left. It’s not much. But it’s what I’ve got. Please take it and grow it. Make it stronger.”
4. Pray Scripture Back to God
When you don’t have words, use His. “Your Word says You’re close to the brokenhearted. I’m broken. Be close to me.”
5. Ask for Small Signs of His Presence
“Help me see You today in something ordinary. Open my eyes to notice You.” Not demanding proof—asking God to help you see what’s already there.
6. Surrender the Outcome
“I’m trusting You to grow my faith. I can’t manufacture belief through willpower. You have to do this. I’m letting go of control.”
A Prayer to Close
“Father God,
Thank You for welcoming our honest doubts and questions. Thank You that we don’t need perfect faith to come to You—just willingness and honesty.
For everyone reading this whose faith is struggling—would You meet them right where they are? Not where they think they should be, but where they actually are. Strengthen weak faith. Grow mustard seed-sized trust into something substantial.
Help us remember that even asking for faith IS faith. That showing up despite doubt is courage You honor. That You’re patient with our process.
We bring You our unbelief and ask You to help us believe.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Perfect Faith
Faith isn’t something you achieve once and maintain perfectly. It’s something you return to, over and over, choosing trust even when trust feels impossible.
Prayer for faith isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a lifelong conversation with God about the state of your heart.
God isn’t waiting for you to get your faith sorted before He welcomes you. He’s okay with your doubts. More than okay. He’s been waiting for you to bring your real self—doubts and all—to Him.
So start there. Today. Right now.
“God, I’m not sure about a lot of things. But I’m here. I’m asking. Help me believe. Help my unbelief. I’m trusting You with this process. Amen.”
That’s enough. You’re enough. Your small, struggling, imperfect faith? It’s enough for God to work with.
Grace and peace to you as you navigate this journey. You’re not alone in your doubt, and you’re not alone in learning to trust.
