Topical Bible: Faith: Saints should Pray for the Increase of

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Faith, a fundamental aspect of Christian life, is both a gift from God and a virtue to be cultivated by believers. It is through faith that individuals come to know God, accept His promises, and live in accordance with His will. The Bible emphasizes the importance of faith and encourages believers to seek its increase through prayer and reliance on God.

Biblical Foundation

The necessity of faith is underscored throughout Scripture. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is the means by which believers are justified and live in righteousness, as seen in Romans 1:17 : "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

Prayer for Increased Faith

The disciples themselves recognized the need for greater faith and sought Jesus' help in this regard. In Luke 17:5 , the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" This request highlights the understanding that faith is not static but can and should grow. Believers are encouraged to follow this example, seeking divine assistance in strengthening their faith.

Faith as a Gift and Responsibility

While faith is a gift from God, as noted in Ephesians 2:8 , "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God," it also requires active participation from the believer. James 2:17 reminds us, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Thus, believers are called to nurture their faith through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and obedience to God's commands.

Examples of Faith in Action

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose faith was tested and strengthened through prayer and reliance on God. Abraham, known as the father of faith, demonstrated unwavering trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seemed impossible (Romans 4:20-21). Similarly, the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:10 was commended by Jesus, who marveled and said, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith."

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to pray for an increase in faith, recognizing that it is essential for spiritual growth and perseverance. In Mark 9:24 , a father seeking healing for his son cried out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" This plea reflects the heart of a believer who desires a deeper, more robust faith. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often prayed for the faith of the churches to grow, as seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 : "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing."

Conclusion

The call to pray for an increase in faith is a recognition of the believer's dependence on God for spiritual strength and maturity. Through prayer, study, and obedience, faith can flourish, enabling believers to live lives that are pleasing to God and reflective of His glory.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 17:5
And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... THE SAINTS CONVERSE WITH GOD. ... He loved his Master in good faith; in good faith he
would rather have died than have ... 6. We should pray with a pure intention. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/fenelon the saints converse.htm

The Prayer of Faith is the Only Power in the Universe to which the ...
... If, by any chance, a prayer chamber should be established without a ... the ardour nor
the beauty, nor the power of saints. ... Prayer is but the expression of faith. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter v the prayer of.htm

Prayer and Faith (Continued)
... Our eyes should be taken off self, removed from ... to change unbelieving sinners into
praying and believing saints. ... of the tremendous importance of faith and of ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ii prayer and faith continued.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... that He would give, preserve, and increase in us faith and the ... Therefore you should
say: My prayer is as precious, holy, and ... Paul or of the most holy saints. ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... God confers other blessings, on both saints and sinners, which ... you have no business
to pray that I should take it ... that he had nothing on which to repose faith. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer
... Lord, increase my faith.". ... God's will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers
of His saints should be one ... Pray much for the ministers and the Church of God ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xi modern examples of prayer.htm

The Necessity of Increased Faith
... who are but the interior soldiers"the feeblest saints? ... well become us to pray, "Increase
our faith?". ... disciples that if their brother should trespass against ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the necessity of increased faith.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." It is ... near with a true heart in fulness
of faith." It is ... infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Intercession Every Christian's Duty
... Moses, left to stand in the gap, we should soon be ... much to consist in the communion
of saints in the ... This imagination will strengthen your faith, excite a holy ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/intercession every christians duty.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... are forecasts of the future, He who prayeth in faith is like ... absolute necessity of
the Holy Spirit, for if the saints know not what they should pray for as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm