What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “...confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is completely trusting the unseen God. Faith knows He loves us completely. Faith knows that the death and resurrection of Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Faith believes the Word of God is all we need to know how to live a holy and pleasing life.
Sadly, there are times when our faith wanes. Our circumstances feel too difficult, our hope is too small, and our belief in what is unseen withers.
Like the father of the demon-possessed son in Mark 9, we all need help with our faith sometimes. “I believe! Help my unbelief.”
Do you need more faith? When we need more faith, like the father in this passage of Scripture, we can ask for more. We can boldly go before the Father of our faith. Asking for a strengthened faith helps grow our trust and confidence in what is true--not the seen, but the unseen. How do you ask God for stronger faith? Here are 10 prayers to ask for strengthened faith:
“For we live by faith not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Father God, open my eyes, not to see the world more clearly, but to see You. Open my eyes to see you working around me and in me. Nothing happens by accident. You orchestrate every day of my life. Allow me to see your hand in the mundane and the fantastic. Help me to trust in what I cannot see, and believe in Your invisible presence.
“‘If you can’?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:22-24)
Heavenly Father, at times I waiver in my belief that you see and hear me. Like the father of the demon-possessed man, I wonder if you will answer prayers. I believe, yet I ask you to help my unbelief. Strengthen my belief in You that I may be able to do everything I am called to do.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Father God, my strength is gone. I am unable—but your Word says I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. Give me Your strength, not physical strength but the power to move mountains that flow from faith in Jesus. Help me to depend on You to do what I think I cannot do. Let your strength alone sustain me.
Devote yourself to prayer and strengthen your faith with this free PDF: Trusting God When Life Hurts: A 30 Day Prayer and Scripture Guide
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Dear God, thank you for the unmerited favor of your love. It is because of the faith you created in me that I have been saved, set apart to do your work, and received your grace. Through Christ, I have received grace upon grace. Father, I sometimes miss the mark and fall short of your will. Thank you for the grace you lavish when I falter in my faith. Praise You for grace upon grace.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Father God, You shower the lilies of the field with beauty and feed the birds of the air. Build my faith to depend on You entirely for every need and not on the things of this world or my strength and abilities. Not one day can be added to my life through worry. As my heavenly Father, You know what I need and You provide for all my cares. Help me to trust You to care for me.
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (Luke 17:5)
Father, even the disciples that walked with Jesus needed to strengthen their faith. Jesus told them if their faith was only the size of a mustard seed, they could uproot trees and crumble mountains. Lord, I need more faith like the disciples. Increase my faith and make me a mover of mountains. Grow my belief in You alone so that I would be strong in the Lord and ready to battle against the doubts planted by the enemy. Lord, increase my faith!
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
My heavenly Father, praise You that faith does not come from the wisdom or understanding of humans but through the power of Your Spirit. As Your servant Paul preached, his words were not his wisdom, but a demonstration of Your power through him. Lord, I need Your strength to speak wise words to others so their faith will grow in You. Give me the words to share the work You have done in me with those who need hope. Like those hearing Paul, they will know faith in the Lord.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Dear God, praise You that You will not desert me. You are always with me. At the end of his life, everyone left Paul, but he was not alone. He continued to fight because You were at his side, giving him strength, so the message of Your love and grace continued to be proclaimed. Father, You will never forsake me or leave me. To have You at my side gives me the ability to face whatever comes. Help me to keep my faith in You despite my circumstances, because You are with me.
“Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:2-3)
Father God, the peace that comes through faith in You surpasses all human understanding. Help me to keep my faith in you alone that I would have peace and not falter in my thinking. The world wants to destroy the peace I have through faith in You. Protect my mind and heart from the things of this world. Pour out your perfect peace.
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)
Dear Lord, Your will is my desire. I want Your Word on my heart and mind. It is useful for all things in life. Build in me a knowledge of Your will. Make my heart’s desire Your heart’s desire, then I will rejoice in doing Your work. My trust is in You alone. I know you will use every day of my life to show everyone around me Your love and grace. I may have plans, but the plans of God will prevail. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
Each day is an opportunity to strengthen our faith. Our most significant chance for hope comes in trusting that He loves us so much that He sent His Son to become the necessary sacrifice to erase our sins. That is where our faith begins each day, knowing we are His.
Tamela Turbeville has a desire for every woman with a difficult past to know God loves them. She is wife to Richard, and mother to three grown sons and one beautiful daughter-in-law. When doing what she loves most-- studying God’s Word, reading and writing--she is surrounded by her six rescue dogs in her small office in south Arkansas. She began Living One Word to write and share how God loves the unlovable and you can read more about Tamela, her journey, and her family at www.livingoneword.com, on Facebook, and Instagram.
This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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