Lord, Increase My Faith
Today was a deeply meaningful day for our family.
My son Noah — my third boy and sixth child — received the sacrament of baptism during our church service. On the same morning, our congregation also celebrated the Lord’s Supper together.
To witness both sacraments on the same day was a powerful reminder of God’s covenant faithfulness, His grace toward sinners, and His ongoing work of strengthening weak faith.
The sermon centered on a simple but profound request from the apostles in Luke 17:5:
“Lord, increase our faith.”
That prayer stayed with me throughout the entire service.
When Faith Feels Small
The context of this passage is important. Jesus had just told His disciples that they must continue forgiving others again and again — even seven times in one day if someone repents repeatedly.
The disciples immediately realized how difficult that command was.
Humanly speaking, it felt impossible.
And honestly, many parts of the Christian life can feel that way.
Sometimes forgiveness feels impossible.
Sometimes obedience feels costly.
Sometimes suffering feels heavy.
Sometimes continuing forward simply feels exhausting.
As parents, we often carry hidden burdens too:
- concerns about our children,
- responsibilities toward our families,
- financial pressures,
- spiritual struggles,
- fears about the future,
- and the quiet feeling that we are not strong enough.
There are moments when we may not say it aloud, but deep inside we pray:
“Lord, increase my faith.”
I find comfort in knowing that even the apostles struggled with weak faith. These were the men who walked beside Jesus personally, yet they still wrestled with fear, doubt, and failure.
Peter himself walked on water — and then began sinking.
Peter boldly confessed Christ — and later denied Him.
Peter showed courage at times — and fear at others.
Their weakness reminds me that struggling faith is not unusual for Christians.
What Jesus Teaches About Faith
One of the most encouraging parts of the sermon was Jesus’ response.
The apostles asked for “more faith,” but Jesus redirected their attention away from the quantity of faith and toward the object of faith.
He taught them that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do the impossible because true strength is not found in us — it is found in God.
The sermon used the example of two skydivers:
- one confident,
- one terrified.
But ultimately, what matters is not how confident they feel. What matters is whether the parachute is trustworthy.
The same is true spiritually.
Our hope is not in having perfect faith.
Our hope is in having faith in a perfect Savior.
That truth brought tremendous encouragement to my heart today.
Why the Sacraments Matter
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are visible reminders of the gospel.
God knows our faith is often weak.
He knows we easily forget His promises.
So He gives us signs that we can see, touch, and receive.
Today, watching Noah’s baptism reminded me that salvation rests not on human strength, but on God’s covenant grace.
Baptism points us to Jesus Christ:
- His death,
- His resurrection,
- His cleansing,
- His promises,
- and His faithfulness across generations.
As a parent, seeing my child baptized reminded me again that my greatest hope for my children is not worldly success, education, or achievements.
My deepest prayer is that they would belong to Christ.
Later in the service, we also came to the Lord’s Table.
Again, the gospel was preached visibly.
The bread and wine remind believers that Christ truly gave Himself for His people. His body was broken. His blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
And perhaps the most comforting part is this:
The sacraments make the gospel personal.
Not merely:
“Christ died for sinners.”
But also:
“Christ gave Himself for you.”
A Personal Reflection as a Father
Today’s service became more than simply a baptism day for our family.
It became a reminder for me personally to stop looking inward so much and instead look to Christ.
So often I ask:
- “Am I strong enough?”
- “Can I handle all of this?”
- “Will my faith endure?”
But the gospel continually redirects my attention away from myself.
The Christian life was never meant to be sustained by human strength alone.
Christ is the one who holds His people fast.
As I watched Noah receive baptism today, and as I participated in the Lord’s Supper, I was reminded again that God remains faithful even when our faith feels small.
And so my prayer tonight is still the same:
Lord, increase my faith.
Scripture References
- Luke 17:5–6
- Mark 9:24
- Romans 6:1–5
- Philippians 4:13
Closing Prayer
Father,
Thank You for Your patience toward weak and struggling sinners. Thank You for giving us visible reminders of the gospel through baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Strengthen our faith when we are weary, fearful, or discouraged. Help us to look away from ourselves and fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, who will never let His people go.
Please guide our children, including Noah, to know and love You all the days of their lives.
Amen.
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