PRAYING FOR FAITH OR PRAYING IN FAITH

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed – James 1: 6

Praying FOR Faith is different from Praying IN Faith. The Bible commands that we receive faith; live by faith and employ it in all dimensions of our relationship with God, including Prayers. Mark 11:24 says: “…when you pray, believe…” James 5:15 assures us that “the Prayer of Faith shall save the sick…” God attends to the Prayer OF faith, not the prayer FOR faith! There is no definite instruction in the Bible that we should pray for faith. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom.10:17), not by asking or praying for it! Indeed, without faith, prayer is largely ineffective. James 1:6 instructs that we ask God for Wisdom IN FAITH. It would be awkward if we were to ask God for faith in faith!! Every believer already has a measure of faith. Hearing and meditating on the revealed Word and exercising our present measure of faith will ensure its increase!

It is interesting that the Lord did not grant the disciples’ request to “increase” their faith (Lk.17:5). Rather, He pointed them to the mustard seed. None of the recorded prayers of the Lord Jesus Christ or Paul the apostle contains a prayer requesting FOR faith. The Lord Jesus prayed that the Father would keep us united, secure in Him, safe from the evil one and sanctified through the truth (Jh.17:11-12,15,17). Paul began his prayers for the Ephesians and Colossians by testifying of their faith: “…heard of your faith…” (Eph.1:15; Col.14). He then requested for them the Spirit of wisdom, revelation, understanding, spiritual strength and maturity, but never for faith (Eph.1: 15-23; 3:14-19; Col.1:9-11).

Faith means believing that God is not a deceiver and that His promises are true when the conditions are met. He assures us in John 14:13: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Praying for faith is like asking God to convince you that He is not a liar and that His Word is true. What can be more insulting than that? Even human beings would find that insulting! Rather than spend all your time PRAYING FOR FAITH; give more time to hear the Word of God in order to build up your faith, so that you can begin to more effectively PRAY IN FAITH. Faith comes when the Word prevails over human senses and feelings. We may pray to the Lord that our faith does not fail; Jesus prayed the same for Peter (Lk.22:32). We may pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in God’s knowledge. Paul prayed that (Eph.1:15). It is however insulting to be asking Him to give us what He already has – Faith. We are to develop by exercise and use, the measure of faith in us and receive more by hearing and meditating on His Word (Rom.10:17).