Lord, Increase My Faith

As the disciples spent more time with Jesus, the more they became aware of their inadequacies; hence the pleas: "Lord, teach us to pray," (Lk 11:1) "Lord, increase our faith." (Lk 17:5). So too with us; we realize how little faith we have in the face of doubt and confusion, or as we look at our country and the word in general. The plea of the disciples becomes ours. In so asking for a deepr faith, we have to realize that we are not asking for a belief in something, but in someone, the person of Jesus himself. It is this relationship with him that will bring us through the ups and downs of life, the disappointments and frustrations that family, friends and colleagues might deal us. It is the Jesus, the Rock, who gives us stablity, hope and the answer to all that we find lacking. By focusing on him, we eventually eliminate the non-essentials and refine our lives to the basic, solid essentials that satisfy our longings. We are able, gradually, to relinquish what we once thought so necessary, and find the freedom to respond to whatever our Father asks of us. Yes, indeed, Lord, increase our faith. Bro. Rene