Prayer: How Much Faith?

Dear Ones:

Where does faith come from?  How does it grow?  How is it maintained?  We all agree that faith is essential in the life of the “believer.”  It is that lifeline to heaven, by which all is received, grasped, and lived by.  We also KNOW that faith is the gift of God.  But how is this faith to be fully implemented, kept vital, and real?  There are at least two answers.

When Jesus was visiting in the house of Mary and Martha, we find one instance where Mary was “seated at Jesus’ feet,” while Martha was preoccupied with serving everybody else.  We might think that Martha’s responsibilities outweighed Mary’s quiet devotion, but it was not so.  Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to HEAR HIS WORDS.  Jesus will say concerning the attitude of Mary:  “One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)  The one thing of which Jesus spoke is the quiet, singular, undivided attention given to the word of God, hearing His voice in the Scriptures.  This is food for faith, so essential for its growth, and use.

The second essential is dependence upon the Spirit of God.  Where does the strength come from in the face of difficulty, trial, and loss?  It will come from that vision of Christ, born out of worship, and the corresponding seeking of God, and His strength.  “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength…They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…the shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” (Is. 40:29,31)  Spiritual strength comes from God, by His Spirit.  “And ye shall receive power…”  Is this not what Paul prayed for the Ephesian church, “…that He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts BY FAITH?” (Eph. 3:17)  It is in worshipping the Lord Jesus that the greatness of the vision captures our hearts.  It is in praying for Him to strengthen our hearts, that “He pours the power into us when we need it.”

So, today, let us pray with our minds (according to the word of God), as we sit at Jesus’ feet.  And let us pray by the Spirit, that blessed Strengthener, believing and receiving that which God desires to give in the understanding of His purposes and will.  “But my God shall supply ALL your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  (Phil. 4:19)

Love, Dad