“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5
Lord, give faith to those who do not believe, those who struggle within to believe. But, if they have no faith nor desire to know You, how can their faith increase?
“In the beginning when God created[a] the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”” Genesis 1:1-3
The Lord replies, “Listen to the first words of My word. From nothing I created everything. From nothing I can give faith.”
Wow! This hits home. While I was given the Sacraments and a Catholic Saturday CCD education, I can honestly say, growing up, I never believed nor had faith. My heart was stone where God was involved. I was I visited to Him many times and only gave solid no’s in reply. I wanted nothing to do with God. He interfered with my ‘fun’. Going to Mass on Sunday would mean I couldn’t party and drink all night Saturday, I could stay out til dawn in clubs. Nope, no way. I gave nothing for which God could work. No open door, no crack. Not even a start of a seedling of faith.
God proved He needed nothing from which to create something within me. “Let there be light” of faith within this soul” He spoke to me. Almost like His prayed over me for year after year. And, into my hardened, dark heart sprang that light and glimmer of faith. He cultivated this faith like He did creation. First bringing the light. Planting the seed then watering it and giving it warmth and His Son. He separated the light from the darkness within to give my soul reason over my sinful ways. God gave me my children, wife and stepdaughter that I could share His love. Then, when the time was just right, God breathed His breath, His Spirit into me and watched my faith blossom and come alive.
The one power we have over God’s power is our no. But, His love and Divine Mercy overcomes even that hard no. God literally can bring Faith from nothing within a barren soul. Imagine what He can do if the soul gives Him an opening…
So, when you bring that prayer for faith for your loved one, your child, who has none nor desires any, know He can. Have faith that what you see as an impossible task to increase faith in that soul for which you desire it most, don’t lose hope, in fact, rejoice because the impossible is an opportunity to show a soul His love, mercy. That you might bask in His glory.
Prayer with faith. For nothing from nothing with God is all He needs. When it seems most dark, the sunrise will be the most beautiful.