We were born with a spiritual need but not with faith. In fact, “faith is not a possession of all people.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2) However, Christians must have faith in order to inherit God’s promises. (Hebrews 6:12) After citing many examples of faith, Paul wrote: “Because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1, 2)
What is “the sin that easily entangles us”? It is lack of faith, even a loss of faith once possessed. To maintain strong faith, we must ‘look intently at Jesus’ and follow his example. We also need to reject immorality, combat the works of the flesh, and avoid materialism, worldly philosophies, and unscriptural traditions. (Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10; Jude 3, 4) Moreover, we must believe that God is with us and that the counsel in his Word really works.
We cannot create faith within ourselves by our own willpower. Faith is part of the fruitage of God’s holy spirit, or active force. (Galatians 5:22, 23) So, what if our faith needs to be strengthened? Jesus said: “If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!” (Luke 11:13) Yes, let us pray for holy spirit, for it can produce in us the faith needed to do God’s will even under the most trying circumstances.—Ephesians 3:20.
It is proper to pray for more faith. When Jesus was about to cast a demon out of a young boy, the lad’s father pleaded: “I have faith! Help me out where I need faith!” (Mark 9:24) “Give us more faith,” said Jesus’ disciples. (Luke 17:5) Therefore, let us pray for faith, confident that God answers such prayers.—1 John 5:14.
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