What does it mean to be faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12)?

Answer

In Romans 12:12, the apostle Paul urges believers to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” This verse is part of Paul’s instructions on living together in loving fellowship as members of Christ’s body. Knowing that their faith would be tested through persecution, hardship, and internal conflict, Paul encourages the believers in Rome to remain steadfast in three spiritual disciplines: joyfulness in hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer.

Concerning prayer, Paul used the Greek term proskarterountes in Romans 12:12, which is translated into English as “be faithful” (NIV), “be constant” (ESV), “keep on” (NLT), or “be persistent in” (CSB). This verb conveys the idea of devoted perseverance, continued determination, and active pressing forward.

To be faithful in prayer means to consistently and persistently engage in prayer, regardless of situations or feelings. It is the commitment to maintain a prayerful life, not just during moments of crisis or need, but as a regular, ongoing practice. Jesus told His disciples they should “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1). Faithfulness in prayer involves dependability, devotion, and persistence, even when answers seem delayed or life becomes challenging.

We don’t just pray once and then throw in the towel. We “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus” for us (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18, ESV). We can conceive of praying without ceasing as always having an ongoing conversation with God, knowing He is always with us.

True prayer is simply spending time in the presence of God, getting to know Him. We talk to God honestly and openly about everything, and we listen for His answer (Philippians 4:6–7). Moses prayed to the Lord, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13). Moses was faithful in prayer because he desired to please God and know Him intimately.

Others in the Bible, such as Daniel, David, and Jesus Himself, exemplified faithfulness in prayer. Daniel prayed three times a day despite significant opposition (Daniel 6:10). David prayed “evening, morning and noon” (Psalm 55:17). Jesus often withdrew to pray, even when busy or tired (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). These examples inspire us to make prayer a priority, no matter what the situation.

As we develop our relationship with God through faithful prayer, we demonstrate our trust and dependence on Him and His promises. We build confidence in prayer when we pray according to His will, believing that He hears us and will answer (1 John 5:14–15; Psalm 34:17).

Prayer is not just a spiritual exercise or a rote repetition of words; it is our lifeline to God. Faithfulness in prayer is about seeking God and getting to know Him through His Word. It’s about tapping into His character and holiness and letting His Spirit enable us to continue serving and loving others, even in the most challenging conditions (Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:4; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Qualities associated with being faithful in prayer include the following:

Consistency: Setting aside regular times for prayer as part of our daily routine will build the habit of faithfulness. We make it a priority to carve out time for God in our busy lives, for He is our highest priority and most profound need (see Psalm 63:1; Matthew 6:33; Luke 10:38–42).

Perseverance: We continue to pray even when faced with discouragement, unanswered prayers, or spiritual dryness (see Luke 18:1–8; 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2).

Sincerity: Since God already knows our hearts, we underst and that we can speak honestly with Him in prayer, sharing our joys, struggles, hopes, and fears (Psalm 44:21;139:1–4). We can ask questions, utter doubts, and ask for God’s help in prayer (Psalm 139:23–24; Romans 8:26–27; Hebrews 4:14–16).

Gratitude: Faithfulness in prayer includes thankfulness, recognizing God’s work in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

To be faithful in prayer means integrating it into our everyday lives, having natural conversations with Him throughout the day. It means turning to God in all things—the joyful, the difficult, and the mundane—and trusting in His presence and response. We remain committed, persistent, and sincere, knowing that, without the constant discipline of prayer, we would be powerless to maintain our spiritual zeal and love for fellow believers, especially in times of affliction.