My mentor gave me this definition of faith: the perception and pursuit of the unseen heavenly realm. Faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9); without it, we couldn’t engage with God and have the revelation to hear and see him who is Spirit. While surrounded by things we see, the unseen made them (Hebrews 11:3) and is, therefore, more powerful.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). With faith, we engage actively with God, and our prayers and actions have real power. Hebrews 11 lists various men and women who did mighty and amazing things through faith, from Abraham to Rahab. We call that chapter the Hall of Faith.
How can we develop this kind of faith?
Here are seven prayer and Scripture habits to boost your faith this summer.
Meditating on Scriptures and Bible stories about faith can significantly boost your faith. This practice involves deeply reflecting on God’s Word, allowing its truths to permeate your heart and mind.
Joshua 1:8 powerfully encourages faith, stating, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” This verse teaches the importance of continuous reflection on God's Word to internalize its teachings and apply them to daily life.
Meditating on Bible stories, such as Abraham’s, can inspire and encourage believers. Despite seemingly impossible circumstances, Abraham's unwavering trust in God’s promises serves as a profound example of faith in action. Reflecting on his journey can help you cultivate a similar trust in God’s plans for your own lives.
Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated remarkable faith. Meditating on stories about faithful men and women can offer encouragement and motivation, as each one did amazing and various things through faith. They heard God’s voice and boldly responded, seeing God move on their behalf. These examples can help you apply faith to God’s call on your life.
Memorizing Scriptures about faith provides a solid foundation of God’s promises to draw upon in times of need. This habit embeds God’s Word deeply into the heart and mind, allowing you to recall his truths easily and apply them to various situations.
One powerful verse to memorize is Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Memorizing this verse reinforces the belief that faith involves trusting God’s promises even without visible evidence.
Another impactful Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds believers to rely on God rather than their own understanding, encouraging them to trust his guidance and wisdom.
Jesus came to bear witness to the truth, and his words in Matthew 17:20 provide a powerful affirmation of faith: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Even small faith can lead to great outcomes when placed in God’s hands.
You can search online for faith Scriptures, choose the ones that resonate with you, and begin memorizing.
Truth has power in action. Applying Scriptures about faith in daily life can significantly boost your faith, transforming beliefs into actionable steps. This involves reading or memorizing the Bible and actively living out its principles in everyday situations. You will experience God’s powerful, relevant promises in tangible ways by applying Scriptures.
James 1:22 emphasizes this practice: “Do not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” This encourages Christians to move beyond passive hearing to active obedience, demonstrating faith through action. Application ensures that faith is not just theoretical but practical and impactful.
The apostle Paul gives a practical way to apply God’s truth in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When facing anxiety, you can pray and express gratitude, experiencing God’s peace firsthand.
You should also live out Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” By actively seeking opportunities to serve and show kindness, you can reflect God’s love to those around you, strengthening your faith as you witness your actions’ impact.
As Jesus modeled (Mark 1:35), praying first thing in the morning can strengthen your faith and set a positive and focused tone for the rest of the day. This habit prioritizes communication with God, grounding you in his presence and guidance before any other activity.
Psalm 5:3 underscores the importance of morning prayer: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” This verse reveals the power of seeking God early, presenting requests, and starting the day with an attitude of expectancy for his answers and guidance. By prioritizing morning prayer, Christians align their hearts and minds with God’s will from the very start of the day.
Start the day with prayer, and dedicate your day to God, asking for his wisdom and strength to face whatever comes. You express gratitude for a new day. Incorporating morning prayer into daily routine also helps combat anxiety and stress. As Philippians 4:6-7 teaches, presenting worries to God in prayer brings peace that transcends understanding. Beginning the day this way helps maintain a sense of calm and trust, knowing that God is in control. This habit sets the proper foundation for the day.
As Jesus exemplified through the Lord’s Prayer, you should begin prayer by praising God, his name, and his character (Matthew 6:9-13). Beginning with praise boosts your faith by focusing on God’s greatness and fostering a heart of gratitude. This habit helps believers recognize and celebrate God’s attributes, setting a positive and reverent tone for the prayer.
Psalm 100:4 teaches the importance of starting with praise: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” No matter what happens, God is worthy of praise and glory. This verse encourages believers to approach God with a spirit of praise, acknowledging his goodness and sovereignty from the outset. In this way, you place your concerns in the proper context: God’s goodness and majesty.
Starting prayer with praise reminds you of God’s past faithfulness, reinforcing trust in his ongoing provision and care. Reflecting on his deeds and character helps to build confidence in his ability to handle present and future challenges. This practice transforms prayer into a powerful act of worship.
Moreover, beginning with praise cultivates a grateful heart. Gratitude helps to combat negativity and fosters a sense of joy and contentment. By regularly praising God, believers develop a habit of recognizing and appreciating his blessings, which can lead to a more resilient and hopeful faith.
6. Prayer Habit: Seek God’s Glory and Will in Every Request
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Reminded now of God’s might and love, you can pray for God’s glory and will in every request. This aligns your desires with God’s purposes, transforming prayer from a self-centered activity to a God-centered one, fostering a deep reliance on his wisdom and sovereignty. God alone changes things; you can pray with that truth in mind.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus models this approach. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). By prioritizing God’s will, Jesus teaches believers to seek the Father’s plans above their own. When you incorporate this perspective into your prayers, they express trust in God’s perfect knowledge and ability to orchestrate circumstances for the greatest good for the most people, including our own.
This habit encourages you to evaluate your requests humbly in light of God’s glory. Asking how each request can honor God or advance his kingdom helps shift focus from personal gain to divine purposes.
Additionally, seeking God’s glory and will in prayer brings peace and contentment, even when his answers differ from personal desires. Romans 8:28 reassures believers, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Trusting in this promise allows you to rest in God’s goodness and timing.
Making a list will boost your faith by providing a structured approach to prayer and ensuring that important requests are consistently presented to God. This habit helps you stay organized, focused, and intentional in your prayer life, leading to a more disciplined and effective practice.
Philippians 4:6 encourages believers to present their requests to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Making a list helps you systematically present concerns and needs to God, ensuring nothing is overlooked. This regular engagement with the Father also reminds us of his love.
You may experience distraction as you develop your prayer life. A list helps you focus during prayer, reducing distractions and correcting wandering thoughts. This concentrated effort enhances the quality of the prayer time, making it more meaningful and impactful. Regularly updating the list allows Christians to remain engaged and motivated in their prayer practice.
Creating a prayer list encourages thoroughness and persistence in prayer. You can track God’s answers over time by writing down specific requests, reinforcing faith in His responsiveness and faithfulness. Seeing answered prayers on the list is a powerful reminder of God’s ongoing involvement and provision, further boosting your faith.Top of FormBottom of Form
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