Jesus avidly watched people, looking for something. In fact, he searched for it in the eyes of each person he met.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” (Mark 2:5 NIV.)

Jesus “saw” faith. Certainly he saw it in their actions. But note how he scanned the situation and found faith glowing inside four men confident their buddy would be healed.

And he saw it again when he healed a woman with uncontrolled bleeding: “Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’” (Matthew 9:22 NIV.)

Like a bloodhound following a scent, Jesus could track faith’s aroma in a person’s spirit. His people-watching skills would zero in, locking on to the strength or weakness in their faith life.

He often did that with his own disciples, sometimes calling them “you little-faith ones”. (Matthew 8:26 – literal Greek.)

In fact, Jesus said he’d still be scanning for faith when he returns: “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8 NIV.)

Why so? What’s so important about faith? And what does it have to do with prayer?

“Have faith in God… Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24 NIV.)

Faith is the engine of prayer. Why? Because the key to authentic praying is relationship. Prayer is actually nothing more or less than expressing one’s relationship with God. And relationship isn’t possible without faith.

A marriage where each partner distrusts the other will fail. A relationship where the praying person distrusts God will also fail.

How have you managed to increase your faith in God? What has worked for you? Share it with us…