“And whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Powerful prayer requires faith, so how can we increase our faith?
In Luke 17:5, the disciples requested, “Lord, increase our faith.” Jesus responded by asking if a servant should be thanked for following orders. What did that have to do with faith? The first step to great faith is obedience. If we fail there, nothing else will substitute.
Interestingly, the disciples’ desire for more faith followed Jesus’ command to forgive. If I cannot forgive those who hurt me, my faith is hindered. Whatever discomfort or embarrassment I experience from someone else, it is not worth losing my faith.
Next, we can’t have strong faith without being strong in the faith. The Bible nourishes faith. Do I need to mention that we will not have the Word settled in our lives if we don’t read it regularly and know what it says?
Apostle Paul reminded us that faith must work by love (Galatians 5:6). True faith is not only mental but must display the Lord’s love. Have you ever seen a sad person and thought, “I should ask that person if I can pray for her”? If you are like me, you added, “That was just me.” But I have learned that the Lord moves in that way, so it usually is Him. Also, even if it were my thought, the prayer will encourage someone’s soul and glorify Jesus. The more I respond in faith, the more I see God work, and the more my faith grows!
Faith does have a condition. “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27). If I can do a miracle without the help of Jesus, I do not need faith. Since clearly I cannot do that, I cannot take credit for anything He does through me. If I focus any faith on me, faith weakens. But as soon as I put all the confidence and glory in Jesus, my faith rises.
Words display our faith and encourage it. “We believe, and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). God meets our declarations of faith with His divine ability. Great faith that moves the hand of God may well depend on what we say, particularly in times of adversity.
An easy avenue to effective faith is gratitude. When we are thankful for what Jesus has done, we recall His ability to do even more in us, our families, our churches, and our communities.
I think, though, faith hinges on friendship with Jesus. When someone tells me something, whether I believe it depends on our relationship. If I trust that person, I do not have to try to believe what he says. Jesus has given us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). When He and I have a loving relationship, I don’t wonder if those promises are true or if He means for me to have them. He said it, He is faithful, and I expect Him to fulfill His Word. You have the victory as soon as faith says, “It’s mine!”