Prayers and Faith

Does Prayer Develop Faith?

Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is much like what Joshua told his people which was to not let the book of the law depart from your mouth but meditate on it day and night so that you will do all that is therein.

Our prayers should start with praising God.

Four Parts of Prayer:

  • Adoration–Praising God
  • Contrition–Confessing your sins
  • Thanksgiving–Thanking God for blessings
  • Supplication–Asking for things

Our God is worthy to be praised. Adoration is the first because it is the most important. God is our creator, our savior, our healer, our everything, and He deserves to be praised all the time. So do not just ask for things but praise Him all day. Do not let the word of God depart from your mouth but meditate on the word of God day and night so that you will be careful to do all that is written therein and then you will receive the blessing of God and answers to your prayers.

Exercise Your Faith

If you desire for your muscles to grow in strength, you exercise them regularly. It is the same with faith. If you want your faith to grow strong, you exercise your faith regularly. We do this by trusting in God and actually following His instructions in His word. As our faithfulness to God increases, we will become more determined and resolute in our belief in God.

In what do you put your faith? Some people put faith in money, others in self, others in political leaders and others in science. 

Nearly 3000 years ago Solomon wrote, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). Self is not a good investment of our faith. Only when we team with God and the Holy Spirit can we say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Lack of knowledge of what? The spiritual laws of God. It is important to know that God exists and that God’s word can be trusted and relied on. This happens when we study, prove and learn to live by every word of God.

It is a challenge for each of us as Christian to learn how to build real faith. How do we go about building strong faith? These are some of the same questions the first century Christians asked. In Luke 17:5, the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

We have the word of God. The answer to building and growing your faith lies within that book. Read it, study it, meditate on it and devour it. It will begin to grow on the inside of you and will manifest in the physical. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Read a little, have a little faith. Read a lot and have a lot of faith.    

Read More. . . Part 1: Prayers and Faith