“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.’” (Luke 17:5, 6 NIV).

Quantity or Quality!

Jesus’ response to the disciples’ entreaty, “Increase our faith,” served to shift their focus from quantity to quality, from size to value. It seems He wanted them to understand that genuine, sincere, childlike faith does not need to be larger. It could be as small as one of the smallest seed known in their culture at the time, as long as their faith was from God. Quantity has its place, but it must never be substituted for quality. A large bank account, an expansive estate, and fine cars are all great to have. But if peace, love, and God’s presence are lacking, you only have quantity without quality.

When my wife and I began looking for a new home some 25 years ago, God sent us a builder whose business was called Bethel (House of God). He was a young Black man who was also an architect. He showed an impressive house he had built for a family then took us to a vast wooded lot for sale on a hill in the same vicinity. We knew we did not have the quantity of finances needed to purchase the lot and build the kind of house he wanted to design and build for us. But we joined hands with him, and he prayed that God would direct the process, and that His peaceful presence would fill the home that would be built for us on that lot. With sincere (quality) faith in God, our house was built and we have had God’s peace and love in our home all these years as many who have visited us have experienced.

Whatever you need God to do for you right now, you do not need increased faith. You only need sincere, quality, childlike faith, even as small as a mustard seed! And it’s not always necessary to pray a long prayer. But it is always necessary to pray a sincere, quality prayer! Quality matters more than quantity!

Focus Quote: “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7 AMP).

Special Note: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] availeth much” (James 5:16b).
And please continue to join us for our 5:14 pm prayer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Just pause and pray wherever you are. There is no call line or zoom link that you need to remember or retrieve and connect to. Just connect to God and pray! We and many others will also be praying with you. There is power in agreement! 

Blessings, Peace, and Love,

Dr. Alton E. Sumner, Author, Standing on the Promises: Defeating Fear and Breaking Barriers

(301) 921-6060

Listening to the Soul! Lightening the Heart! Lifting the Spirit!

Built to Last!