Heb 5:7-8, 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered …(NIV)
Faith that sustains as we see here gives assurance that prayers offered to God are not in vain. God hears and is concerned with what we all go through. As we pray, we are formed and filled. The forming process is hard, it is sustaining faith that guides and preserves us through tribulation. It produces endurance for character building, and hope that paves way for greater faith.
From personal experience, sustaining, enduring, assuring faith has preserved us through years of dealing with infertility. The same has preserved my brother Andrew confined to a wheelchair due to a serious accident years ago and many others. I have seen this faith sustain others through difficult times. Therefore, as we are saved by faith, we must be sustained by faith, be purified by it until the end. In this grace through faith we stand because God hears our prayers.