The thrust of passage: The Christian’s prayer-foundation is an unswerving faith in the holy character of God.

Point # 1 Christian, there is a vital connection between our faith and answered prayer (5-6a).

a)    This “faith” is not a specific quantity, or level of purity, or degree of energy God requires of us before he will act – this faith is a continuing confidence in the identity and nature of God. 

Point # 2 Christian, live consistently: to pray with “doubt” is to doubt God’s holy character. Such prayers will not be answered and is indicative of a dual loyalty in our souls (6b-8).