Matthew 17:18-20
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of the boy, and he was cured from that hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why were we unable to drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen I tell you: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray, “Lord, have mercy and save us!”
You gave the disciples authority to cast out demons, yet the nine could not remove this one. Help us to keep the object of our faith on you and not on ourselves or our abilities. When situations come our way, guide us to place all our confidence, hope, and trust in you. When our faith is focused upon You and the forgiveness of sins You have won for us, You tell us how our faith will grow into something mighty like the mustard seed, and through it, we will be able to do mighty things. But it is not the point of doing mighty things for ourselves but doing that which gives glory and honor to You and simultaneously sustains us to salvation.
Faith begins when we know our mountain of sin, which we carry—all the guilt and shame for everything we have done—is removed. The Holy Spirit began our faith trusting in you. Sin divided us from you; however, through your suffering and death on the cross, you declared us not guilty of all our sins, and trusting you is saving faith. We pray that you would forgive us all our sins, not because we deserve it but according to your tender mercy and grace.
Please keep our faith focused upon you, who suffered the cross in our place. Also, make it grow into a mighty faith that can move mountains. When we ask You for anything, we are confident that You will answer our prayers according to what is best for our salvation, not necessarily the here and now. Please allow us to share the good news of your forgiveness with those who do not know you that their mountain of guilt and shame will be removed, and they, too, will have faith in you. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
What is the object of your faith? It needs to be on the one who suffered and died for you and on the cross and won your forgiveness and eternal life. There you trust in him, knowing he will answer your prayers in the perfect way he needs to answer them.