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INTRODUCTION
Do you ever doubt that God hears your prayers and that your prayers make a real difference? The people who faithfully prayed to God in the past were part of creating a story of divine help and significant influence on the Church’s journey. In the Bible, these prayer champions stand as examples and sources of inspiration, showing us how to connect with God and unleash His transformative power.
“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” —Psalms 121:1-2
In this collection, we will discover the key ideas behind powerful prayers, revealing the secrets that turned these leaders into instruments of God’s divine help. Whether it’s asking for help or praying for others, we’ll discover how to sync our hearts with God’s plans, creating a prayerful atmosphere that drives our church ahead.
We will focus on the following powerful and activating prayers:
January 4/7
”Go Before Me” - Moses
January 11/14
”Strengthen My Hands” - Nehemiah
January 18/21
”Give Me Wisdom” - Solomon
January 25/28
”Increase My Faith” - The Apostles
February 1/4
”Forgive Them” - Jesus
February 8/11
”Activating Our Church” - Super Vision Sunday
ACTIVATE 21-Day Prayer and Fasting Guide
Text: Luke 17:1-5 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: Daily ask God to increase your faith.
Week 4 - “INCREASE MY FAITH”
Setting the Stage
When you read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the disciples are constantly displaying these traits: fear, doubt, confusion, arrogance, thick headedness.
As we arrive in Luke chapters 16 and 17, we find that Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. He continues to teach the disciples not only about the upcoming suffering, but He is also preparing them for when He would no longer be with them. It was a critical period in their lives.
It is important to note the phrase is not, “Increase my faith.” This is not the cry, plea, or request of an individual; it’s the prayer, the desire of the apostles who represent all of us who would follow Jesus, “Increase our faith.”
This is a communal plea and is consistent with what Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-13.
not
The Importance of Faith Throughout Scripture
●Faith is portrayed as the requirement to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
●Faith is central to our lives (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)
●Faith is the means of salvation unto eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 16:31)
●Faith leads to a right standing with God (Galatians 2:16)
●Faith leads us to pure hearts (Acts 15:9)
●Faith helps us walk in the light (John 12:36, 46)
●Faith is the victory that helps us to overcome the world (1 John 5:4)
HOW WE STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH
I.
OUR NEED FOR MORE FAITH
What was the one thing Jesus repeatedly rebuked the disciples for? It was their lack of faith or having little faith. (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20 &
Luke 12:28)
II.
JESUS AS OUR SOURCE TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” —Luke 17:6
The mustard seed is very small, but it conveys the promise of life and growth. Therefore, our faith can grow and produce fruit, as long as our seed is planted in our Source, Jesus.
III.
OUR FAITH DAILY
9 Ways to Strengthen Our Faith
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” —2 Peter 1:5-7
Source: Life:Beautiful Magazine - Faith for Your Journey
CONCLUSION: What steps do you need to take to increase your faith?
DEEP DIVES:
How does the disciples’ plea, “Increase our faith,” reflect a communal need rather than an individual request?
Reflect on the disciples’ struggles with faith. How can we relate to these challenges in our own lives?
How can acknowledging our need for more faith, seeking Jesus, and daily exercise of faith help us grow spiritually?
Considering the practical ways to strengthen our faith listed in the sermon, which areas do you find most challenging or impactful in your life?