Why “Increase Our Faith” is Not a Dangerous Prayer
Superstitious Christians often warn others to be careful what they pray for. One prays, “Increase our faith,” and the superstitious protest, “Do you realize what you just did? You are asking for trouble!”
Superstitious Christians are immature babes in Christ, who are easily spooked by what they do not yet understand. They misunderstand faith, much like unregenerate unbelievers. They think faith is a self-generated work of man. They imagine a mandatory leap that they must take, which is required by God. They see the prayer, “Increase our faith,” as a widening of the chasm that requires a greater extension on their part. Like a daredevil motorcyclist jumping automobiles, the more cars, the more faith is required for success and self-glory. This is a deficient view of the Christian faith. It is a man-centered faith.
Christian faith is actually how clearly we see Christ. It is how much we know of Christ. The open theist knows little, while the preacher of sovereignty has seen much more. Faith is a work of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). Therefore, faith comes by a gracious work of God, within the regenerated believer in Christ (Eph 2:8–9; Heb 12:2).
When the Christian grows in grace, we acknowledge the Spirit, working to help the person He is guiding into all truth (Jn 16:13). Jesus Christ is the truth (Jn 14:6), and the Spirit of truth is our Teacher (Jn 14:26). It is the Spirit causing us to know the truth. As the Christian grows in the knowledge of the truth, it is all the work of the Spirit (2 Pet 3:18).
The more we know someone, the more we trust them (if they are trustworthy). Faith is acting on that trust. God is true (Rom 3:4), and Jesus Christ is truth (Jn 14:6), meaning, the Trinity is absolutely trustworthy. The Word of God is the Word of truth (Ps 119). If this Word contains a promise, God is faithful to keep it. His name’s sake, that is, His reputation, is on the line. If His Word contains Law, then the believer knows right from wrong. If this Word is prophetic, it will come to pass.
People trust the wrong things. They trust man, when they should be trusting the Lord (Ps 118:8–9). Their trust in the creature, rather than the Creator, is idolatry. We can believe it is idolatry, as judged by God, because the Word of God calls it idolatry.
The Word of God is eternal. The Word of God is unchanging. Jesus Christ is the Word of God, who took on flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). Heaven and earth shall pass away but the Word of God stands forever (Mt 5:18; 24:35).
If everyone and everything in creation is temporal, then nothing compares to Christ Jesus, the Eternal One. Because God knows that He alone is trustworthy, He calls for all men, everywhere, to repent of their misplaced trust in anything else (Acts 17:30). All are commanded to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved (Acts 16:31; Rom 10:9). The unbeliever refuses to relinquish faith in the things of this world. This is why the world never ceases to disappoint unbelievers. Their hope is in the unstable and impoverished deities vying for their worship.
The believer in Jesus is actually in Jesus (1 Cor 1:30). That is a spiritual position, called, “in Christ.” As long as one is outside of this position, there is no grace from God, which means there is no gift of faith from God (Rom 8:9; Eph 2:8–9). Without the gracious gift of faith, only given to those in Christ, trust remains in the wrong thing. It is the believer in Jesus, who exercises faith in Christ. She believes what she knows, and what she knows, is taught to her by the Spirit, who lives in her.
To not pray, “Increase our faith,” because of superstition, is ignorant. Increase our faith, means, increase the grace that gives faith. Abounding grace provides abounding faith. Abounding grace, means, the vital work of the indwelling Spirit is working mightily within us. So “increase our faith,” is really a prayer, saying, “increase your grace,” which is really a prayer, saying, “increase your work Holy Spirit,” which is really a request for more of Christ. He who wants more faith is he who wants more Christ.
Christ must increase in the believer, and the sinful self must decrease. As Christ grows more and more prominent in the life of the believer, this becomes evident to all. There is an observable hope with the maturing Christian. There is a peace that passes comprehension, noted by the on-lookers. Love abounds, joy abounds, and faithfulness abounds, as a fruit of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22–23).
The Christian is known by this fruit and the Good Tree, the True Vine, that is producing it (Jn 15). Christian, do you want more fruit in your walk with God in Christ? Do you increasingly loathe your fear and unbelief? Then, pray for more Christ. Pray for the Spirit to make you faithful, as Christ was faithful and true, even to the point of death on a Cross (Phil 2:8).
Christ knew the Father, and He knew the Father’s plan, therefore, faith was seamless in His life. His was a life of trust in the Father, who He knew intimately in all wisdom. Whereas Isaac inquired of his father, “Where is the sacrifice?” Christ knew and this made His faith strong…actually, perfect. As the Spirit teaches you Christ, you will know Him, and you will believe Him. God will increase your knowledge, hence, increase your faith…and that will happen whether you pray for it or not, which is why “increase our faith” is not a dangerous prayer…but a wise one.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 24, 2021
