Pray with Expectation
Chuck Hill, D.Min.
Lead Well: Pray with Expectation!
If you’ve been in ministry for any length of time, you’ve likely discovered that good leadership requires many things. It requires things like wisdom, courage, passion, determination, and discernment. But there’s another essential quality that’s often overlooked—especially as ministries begin to grow and the work load increases. And that is the exercise of genuine faith, especially through the practice of expectant prayers.
I’m convinced, after 30+ years of pastoral ministry, that one of the greatest ways we demonstrate faith is through our prayers. But not just any prayer — specifically expectant prayer! The prayer of faith!
Over the last couple months, my wife (Lori) and I have been watching THE CHOSEN, the TV series about the life of Jesus and his relationship with his followers. It’s been amazing — deeply moving!
(If you haven’t taken time to watch them — make time. They’re great. I will say, it took about 3 episodes for us to really lock-in).
During one of the episodes we watched this week, we observed a visual portrayal of that famous scene where a Roman centurion approaches Jesus and asks him to heal his servant (Luke 7 & Matthew 8). The servant was paralyzed and suffering. You’ll recall, the Centurion acknowledged his own unworthiness and therefore didn’t invite Jesus to his house, yet he confessed his belief in Jesus’s power — and said if Jesus would just say the word, his servant WOULD BE healed.
This was in essence a prime example of someone making a request (in prayer), and doing so with an expectant faith.
Jesus’s response was one of compassion and amazement. He was so impressed with that Roman soldier that He declared He had not found SUCH GREAT FAITH in all of Israel. And at that moment, the servant was healed!
What a story. What faith. What confidence in the power and person of Jesus!
The New Testament is filled with stories like this, where requests are made and prayers are prayed with FAITH and EXPECTATION. And that’s because expectant prayers are an essential expression of walk Jesus. Consider those passages like:
Matthew 21:22 — “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
And Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Passages like these teach us to boldly approach God in prayer. And when we do, we are to believe that He both hears us and will respond to us when we pray!
PERSPECTIVES OF PRAYER
Too often, we view prayer as merely a religious duty to check off a spiritual to-do list or as an emergency lifeline reserved for desperate situations. In doing so, we limit its incredible potential.
Prayer is not meant to be a last resort or a religious obligation; it is a direct connection to the heart of God and His promises. True leadership is not about relying solely on human strength but about trusting in a God who is always at work.
Proverbs 10:24 declares: “The desire of the righteous shall be granted.”
This verse reminds us that when we pray in alignment with God’s will, as a part of God’s family, we can cry out with confidence, knowing that He delights in answering the prayers of His people!
You see, Prayer isn’t meant to be transactional—it is relational.
It’s not about putting in requests to get results, like a divine vending machine. Prayer is about drawing near to God, cultivating intimacy with Him, aligning our hearts with His, and learning to trust His will. It’s conversation, connection, and communion with the One who loves us most. Answers will come—but the real reward is His presence.
I know you all believe what I’m sharing this morning. This isn’t new information or contemporary ideas. But it’s easy to get lost in the work of ministry and abandon our dependence upon God in the midst.
GREATER WORKS
Leaders who cultivate a lifestyle of expectant prayer experience exponential results. In simpler terms, when leaders regularly pray with genuine expectation and faith, they often witness God answering their prayers in extraordinary ways, far beyond typical outcomes.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus put it this way. Emphasizing the power of faith-filled prayer — He said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Now, don’t misunderstand what Jesus was saying here. Jesus was inviting His followers to pray with confidence, trusting God to respond out of His character, His goodness, and His faithfulness.
Expectant prayer is therefore, an act of deep and abiding trust in the Lord, of all!
James (the half-brother of Jesus), reinforces this truth in James 1:6 when he writes: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.”
Faith is the key factor. While doubt weakens our prayers, faith in God strengthens them!
Leaders who pray with an unwavering sense of faith, understand that God is always at work — even when He isn’t seen. And, that kind of faith has the power to transform people, places, and things. It has the potential to empower the influence of leaders.
Expectant prayers shift our focus from that which is seen, to the ONE who is unseen!
A CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE
Christian leader and author Mark Batterson writes, “Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers; He’s offended by anything less.”
When we pray with expectation, we are not testing God—we are demonstrating trust in His power, His goodness, and His perfect will.
Leadership requires faith, andfaith-filled leaders praynot just because they have to, but because they believe that God moves when His people seek Him.
Five Practical ways to pray with expectation:
- Pray with Confidence – Approach God boldly, knowing He welcomes you into His presence (Hebrews 4:16).
- Stand on His Promises – Anchor your prayers in Scripture, trusting that His promises are always *“Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
- Pray Specifically – Expectation grows when we pray with clarity and faith, presenting our requests with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).
- Watch for His Answers – Be attentive to how God moves, knowing that His timing is always perfect (Habakkuk 2:3).
- Thank Him in Advance – Gratitude expresses faith in what God is already doing, even before we see the outcome (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
CONCLUSION
So, what do you need to trust God for within your ministries?
Direction for future, clarity regarding a challenge, personal empowerment, ministry provision, greater increase in favor, more workers for the ministry, etc.? Whatever it is — He is able. So pray, and pray with expectation!
Remember, effective leaders trust God! And they know that praying expectant prayer will shift the focus from what is possible in our their limited strength to what is possible through God’s unlimited power!
So pray with expectation!