Journey With Jesus 365Sample

The rebukes of Jesus do not excuse the disciples; they could have cast out the demon, but they failed due to their unbelief. “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him”. Having faith for great things is a solemn command from Jesus.

Unbelief here is presented as a sin, suggesting that we often have the power to conquer it. We can cultivate faith if we take the right steps. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. If the disciples had immersed themselves in the Scriptures as they should have, their faith would have been stronger. Faith is a gift from God, often granted in response to prayer, as it was given to the father who prayed, “Lord, help Thou my unbelief”.

Had these nine disciples accompanied Jesus and the other three up the mountain to pray, they might have returned with enough faith for this blessing. Unbelief is a sin—one that can be avoided. Proper study and meditation on the Word of God, praising God for past blessings, obedience to His commands, and earnest, constant, submissive prayer will result in growing faith. Faith is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and those who are filled with the Spirit will have more faith.

There is a connection between faith and prayer. Persistent, unceasing, and self-surrendered prayer leads to faith that is pleasing to God. If these disciples had prayed as they ought, they would have had the faith needed for the healing of the boy.

How can you identify areas of your life where unbelief might be hindering your faith? What steps can you take to confront and overcome this unbelief?

What role does consistent prayer play in strengthening your faith, and how can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine?

In what ways can you incorporate more time for meditating on Scripture to increase your faith? What specific Bible passages could you focus on this week?

Reflect on a past experience where God answered your prayer. How can recalling and praising God for past blessings help you build greater faith for future challenges?

Are there areas where you feel disconnected from God’s power due to unbelief? How can you apply the prayer of, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief”, to these areas?