No Room for “If” in the Prayer of Faith

Why Doubt Sounds Spiritual—But Blocks Breakthrough

As I prepare to release two new books on divine healing later this year, I keep returning to a vital truth: there’s a kind of prayer that God designed to work every time. It’s called the prayer of faith.

But the prayer of faith does not include the word “if.”

I explore this deeply in Touching Jesus—the idea that faith begins where the will of God is known. When we say “if it be Your will” in situations where His will is already revealed (like healing), we’re not being reverent—we’re being uncertain. And that uncertainty can sound spiritual. It can wear a mask of humility. But really, it’s doubt.

One of the clearest illustrations of this comes from Kenneth E. Hagin’s own ministry.

In his book I Believe in Visions, Hagin shares a moment that changed how he ministered healing.

During a healing line, a man came forward with spinal issues. Hagin, without thinking, said something we’ve probably all said at some point:

“See if you can stoop over and bend your back. Try to touch your toes.”

But afterward, the Lord corrected him:

“The word ‘if’ is the badge of doubt.”
“When I said, ‘See if you can,’ that was doubt.”

That moment became a turning point. Hagin realized that even small phrases—words we might think are harmless—can carry the weight of unbelief.

So when he prayed for the man again, he removed the “if” and spoke with authority:

“Now, my brother (I didn’t put an ‘if’ in it this time), stoop over and touch your toes!”

The man was instantly healed. The tuberculosis in his spine was gone.

This story isn’t just about healing—it’s about the way faith speaks. Faith doesn’t leave open ends. It doesn’t offer God a backdoor. It agrees with what He’s already said.

That’s why the prayer of faith must be rooted in the Word—and must be spoken without reservation.

Scripture tells us plainly:

“Whatever is not from faith is sin.” — Romans 14:23
“The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17
“Let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” — James 1:6

Doubt doesn’t honor God. Faith does.

And the most humble thing you can do? Believe Him. Take Him at His Word. Refuse to water down what He already promised with polite uncertainty.

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20

God already said Yes. Now it’s our job to say Amen.

And you can’t say “So be it” while still holding onto “If.”

Source: Kenneth E. Hagin, I Believe in Visions (Tulsa: Faith Library Publications, 1972), Kindle edition, pages 60–62.