wanting stronger faith?
"I do believe! Help my lack of faith!" —Mark 9:24, our transl.
Jesus expected His disciples and the crowd to have faith so as to expel demons (see Mk 9:19). Jesus invited the father of a possessed son to have greater faith (see Mk 9:23). Jesus connects faith with prayer (Mk 9:29).
Will you pray to have a greater faith? (see Lk 17:5) How much will you pray for greater faith? Will you pray a Holy Hour on each of these nine days? How much do you want a greater faith?
To grow in faith, will you persevere in studying and reading the teachings of the Church, especially the Bible? "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl).
The more we love Jesus, the more we want to have a deeper faith in Him. Motivated by love, we are willing even to suffer when necessary to grow in faith (see 1 Pt 1:5ff).
Pray for and in faith. Feed your faith. Suffer for greater faith. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). "But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8, our transl)
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to me that my faith in You will ever increase.
Promise: "The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace." —Jas 3:18
Praise: A manufacturer of playing cards complained to St. Bernardine that the effectiveness of Bernardine's preaching caused him to lose money, since the townspeople had turned so completely to God. Bernardine suggested that he start manufacturing items featuring the Holy Name of Jesus symbol ("IHS"). The man did so and made more money than ever before.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, How to Read the Bible, or on audio AV 46-3 or video V-46.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001