Lord, Increase Our Faith

Text: Luke 17:5    April 11, 2011

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

       “Lord, increase our faith” is a very simple and yet overlooked kind of prayer but it is the prayer that we really need today. Surely, it will change our mind-set and lead us to faith-triggered steps of life. When we say “Lord” to Jesus, we acknowledge Him as “God”, the Great Provider of all our needs; and the moment we pray to Him earnestly and say, “Increase our faith”, we are presenting ourselves to Him in a humble way as a needy and wretched person begging for His loving grace and mercy. Coming to the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in truth is a wise move and we strongly believe that communing with Him with interwoven hearts through faith-filled prayer could lead Him to unleash His unbelievable power for us to use for His honour and glory.        

       As we see the uncertainties of the future, there is always a possibility that we would be threatened and be enslaved by fears and insecurities of life.  Through the so called “worry-hurry-bury” kind of life, people are being helplessly dragged and dropped in the loser’s bin without considerable resistance. What a stressful life we have in this planet earth, but praise God we have His Word with us to strengthen us physically, emotionally, and above all, spiritually.    

       We may be wondering why the apostles urgently requested for an increase of faith after hearing the Lord’s admonition concerning right attitude toward offending brother. At first glance, their request may seem irrelevant and out of context in relation to the current subject they were in, but as we go further on our study, we will eventually understand the needful things they desired to achieve so they can serve God at their best.

       Truly, Christians are privileged people when it comes to learning essential things pertaining life, and the reason why we have that kind of education is that we have the Word of God. In II Peter 1:3-4, it says, v3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: v4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (KJV)

       As we prayerfully study the Bible, the Holy Ghost will surely give us deeper understanding about the apostles’ beneficial and God-pleasing prayer, “Lord, increase our faith”.                     

(I)  It Is A Life-changing Prayer

            Luke 17:1-5

       Praying to God with a repentant heart is a life-changing communion. As we humbly come to the throne of God’s grace in prayer, we could see our unworthiness and at the same time the kindness and holiness of our Heavenly Father. What a blessing to see the beauty of God’s holiness as we commune with Him, and such deep fellowship will lead us into a higher ground of spirituality. In effect, the more we become more Christ-like.    

-It will lead us to forgive others as

 Christ forgave us

 Ephesians 4:32   Matthew 18:21-22  

-It will lead us to have a better

 understanding concerning fallen

 brethren   (Proverbs 24:16)

       Many may not be aware, but the more we come to the Lord in prayer, the more we will understand the blessed will of God for our lives. Our knowledge and understanding concerning the truth will be widen in an unbelievable way. Wisdom will not only be perceived through our words but be displayed through our deeds. Eventually, people will see Christ in us in a consistent manner.         

            (II) It Is A Miracle-producing Prayer

            Luke 17:6

       We believe that God could do significant miracles in our time, and we also believe that prayer of faith could produce extra-ordinary fruits in our lives. We used to sing the old familiar children’s song “Read your Bible, pray every day and you grow, grow, grow”. We cannot deny the simplicity of its message and growth-giving result when truly applied in our daily lives.      

-It will lead us to grow in a

 noteworthy manner

-It will lead us to a miracle-filled life

 (Mark 9:17-24)

·         It will make us a part of

       A believer who says, “Lord, increase my faith” is undoubtedly a goal-oriented person who would like see to God’s miracle through his life. He is a kind of man who welcomes challenging steps so he could reach extra-ordinary milestone of success. A Local Church that prays such prayer will surely experience significant increase of commitments in their Global Missions Program. Beyond doubt, they will be amazed because their mission giving will also increase, and behind such remarkable achievement is their increasing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.           

(III) It Is A Heart-shaping Prayer

             Luke 17:7-10

       Prayer is powerful and has the power to change the hearts of men. The more we pray to God for an increase of faith, the more we allow the Lord to shape our hearts the way He wants us to be. 

-It will create in us a clean and

 sincere servant’s heart

·      It will make us a better

-It will keep us aware of our

 God-given task

   Luke 9:23-25     17:33

·      It will usher us to historic

     I John 5:4

       As we serve the Lord Jesus Christ, may we realize the miraculous outcome of a well-exercised faith in Him. We cannot imagine how great our God could do through our lives and the ministry He has entrusted to us if we only trust Him at all times.

       We do well to remember always that the more challenges we face while we spread the Gospel of Christ, the more we need to ask God for an increase of faith because we know that without faith we cannot please Him. Through faith in Him, we are assured that we are on the victor’s side.