We usually think of faith in terms of getting answers to our prayers and receiving from God the things that He alone can provide. And that’s ok. But there’s a more important reason for building up your faith.

Faith is about pleasing God! ‘Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’ What pleases God? Your faith! What displeases God? Your lack of faith!

In the past, Christians sometimes described praying passionately as ‘storming the gates of Heaven’. It was a sincere sentiment, but it wasn’t completely accurate. The battle isn’t between you and Heaven! You have a red-carpet welcome to approach God at any time. ‘Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV) If there’s a battle, it’s between you and the forces of hell (see Ephesians 6:12–18).

Why are our prayers sometimes not effective? The Bible says, ‘The Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.’ (Hebrews 4:2 NKJV) Yes, God is moved by your needs, but He responds to your faith. That is why nothing is more important than building up your faith. And how do you do that? ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’ (Romans 10:17 NKJV) It works like this: get into God’s Word, get God’s Word into you, pray, and things will begin to change for the better in your life.