The apostles were Jesus's twelve closest followers — men who had left their careers and families to travel with him, witness his miracles, and hear his teaching firsthand. Yet here, in a moment of striking honesty, they make a simple, desperate request: give us more faith. The context matters — Jesus had just told them they must forgive someone who wrongs them repeatedly, even seven times in a single day. Their faith buckled under the weight of that demand. This verse reveals that even those closest to Jesus struggled to fully believe, and they weren't ashamed to say so.
Lord, I'm bringing you my "not enough" today. My faith feels small against what you're asking of me, and I don't want to fake it. I want you to do something real in me. Grow what only you can grow. Amen.
There's something almost embarrassing about this moment if you read it too fast. These were the men who had already made the biggest bet of their lives on Jesus — they'd left their fishing nets, their tax booths, their families. And yet here they are, essentially saying, "We don't have enough." What broke them wasn't persecution or a crisis of philosophy. It was the grinding, ordinary demand of forgiving someone who kept coming back to wound them. Their faith gave out not on a mountaintop, but in the middle of a very human Tuesday. Maybe your faith feels thin right now for the same reason — not because of a dramatic trial, but because of a person you have to forgive again. Because the prayer you've prayed for three years still hasn't moved. Because what God is asking of you right now is just... a lot. The apostles didn't fake it or push through on willpower. They brought their shortage directly to Jesus. That's not weakness — it might be the most faithful thing they did all day. You can do the same. Bring him your "not enough" and see what he does with it.
What was it about Jesus's teaching on forgiveness that seemed to prompt this request — and what does that tell you about where faith is actually tested in real life?
When did you last feel like your faith wasn't big enough for what was being asked of you? What did you do with that feeling, and what do you wish you had done?
Is "increase our faith" a sign of spiritual maturity or a sign the apostles were missing something? What do you think Jesus wanted them to understand about how faith actually grows?
How does it affect the people around you — family, friends, coworkers — when your faith feels thin? Do you tend to pull away, become more demanding, or something else?
If you were to pray "increase my faith" honestly this week, what specific situation or relationship would you be praying about — and what would it look like if God answered?
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Corinthians 12:8
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Acts 3:16
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mark 9:24
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew 15:28
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith [our ability to confidently trust in God and in His power]."
AMP
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
ESV
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'
NASB
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
NIV
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
NKJV
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”
NLT
The apostles came up and said to the Master, "Give us more faith."
MSG