Even Apostles Needed Increase of Faith

Luke 17:5. “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”


That they were apostles is emphasised by Luke. The thought is a simple one today—if apostles had to pray this prayer how much more do we who are humble and simple believers. What aids they must have had to faith that we lack! They saw Christ, heard Him, lived with Him and all this on a daily basis for several years. The miracles of our Lord and His sinless example regularly impressed them. They were personally in the school with the Saviour whereas we seem only to look through the window of the Four Gospels. We get but glimpses of Jesus of Nazareth; they walked, sat, ate, drank, laughed and wept with Him. Yet they prayed thus. More so ought we.


“Faith is a grace which admits of degrees. It does not come to full strength and perfection as soon as it is planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit. There is “little” faith and “great” faith. There is “weak” faith and “strong” faith. Both are spoken of in the Scriptures. Both are to be seen in the experience of God’s people. The more faith a Christian has the more happy, holy, and useful will he be. To promote the growth and progress of faith should be the daily prayer and endeavor of all who love life. When the apostles said, “increase our faith,” they did well.” (Ryle)