The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you (Luke 17:5-6).
Heavenly Father, Your word tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
What an incredible promise! You, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods (Psalm 97:9). And yet You call us to seek You by faith; You draw us into Your marvelous grace. And You promise to reward us!
We remember the assurance You gave Your people in times past, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:13). And in later times You extended an invitation to Your church to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Merciful God, we come as You bid. We confess that our faith is small. We are prone to worry, and fear, and doubt. So we ask You as the apostles did, “Increase our faith!” Help our unbelief (Mark 9:24).
Your word tells us that those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9:10). Teach us to know You and the power of Your name. Give us hearts that seek Your face even as we pray for Your hand. Bring us to a place of complete trust where we desire You more than we desire answers.
Thank You for Your great kindness to us. Thank You for moving in mighty ways on our behalf even with our mustard seed of faith. Thank You for lending Your great power to our small faith.
Help us to have the faith of Abraham, who, without weakening in his faith...did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised (Romans 4:19-21).
Help us to have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, declaring with confidence, "the God we serve is able... (Daniel 3:17). Help us to have the certainty of these three young men, that even if He does not... (Daniel 3:18), God is still the Almighty God, good, and powerful, wise and trustworthy.
O Father, let the seeds of faith grow and thrive and multiply in us, uprooting fear, and dread, and doubt and worry, and bringing us to a place of peace, and rest, and contentment in You.
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God; A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
~ Cleland B. McAfee ~ 1903
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