We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). Therefore, we must have faith. Moreover, the Lord wants us to have great and growing faith (see Mt 15:27ff). Consequently, we should pray: Lord, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5) and "I have faith; help my lack of faith" (Mk 9:24, NJB).
Jesus so much wants our faith to grow that he challenges us and may even shake our faith (Jn 6:61). To deepen our faith, He will use sickness, healing, death, miracles (see Acts 9:33-42), sorrows, joys, our vocations, work, etc. When Jesus comes again, will He find faith on this earth? (Lk 18:8) Jesus is doing everything possible to make sure that faith will be abounding when He returns.
Therefore, pray for greater faith. Learn and live God's Word, for "faith comes through hearing, and hearing by God's word" (Rm 10:17, our transl). Finally, be willing to suffer for your faith. In this way your faith will deepen (see 1 Pt 1:6-7). What the world needs is men and women of great faith!
| PRAYER: | Father, give me faith to move mountain ranges (see Mt 17:20). |
| PROMISE: | "We have come to believe; we are convinced that You are God's Holy One." —Jn 6:69 |
| PRAISE: | Archbishop St. Anselm stood up to the king for what he believed in, and the king eventually gave in to him. Anselm is famous for his devotion to the Blessed Mother. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College