Five Tools to Increase Your Faith

God calls His people to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)—that is, to live with confidence in His character and His Word.

As we walk with God, He invites us to grow in faith through daily choices that draw us nearer to Him and further from the pull of this world. Prayer, reading God’s Word, fasting, worship, and speaking God’s truth are simple but powerful practices that help strengthen our trust in Him. These five tools can equip you to draw closer to God, overcome challenges, and walk more boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What Does It Mean to Walk by Faith?

Faith is a marathon with many twists and turns along the way. Each believer is called to run his or her own race of faith in a way that pleases God (1 Corinthians 9:24). Effective runners train, watch their diets, and discipline themselves so they can run well. In this holy race, we daily strive to draw nearer to God, walk with Him more closely, and love Him more dearly.

While all of us may find ourselves at different mile markers in our faith journey, every believer can find comfort in the truth that God does not leave any of us alone on the path. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Committed to our growth,

God provides spiritual tools to help strengthen and sharpen our faith. As we walk in obedience with a surrendered heart, we can trust that He is the One working in us, “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Five Biblical Tools for Building a Stronger Faith

1.  Ask for more. While it is vital that we exercise the faith we already have, it is equally vital that we consistently ask God for more. Even the apostles prayed, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5 ). Jesus didn’t rebuke their request—He reframed their understanding. He told them that faith as small as a mustard seed could uproot a mulberry tree and cast it into the sea (Luke 17:6). The disciples were asking for more; Jesus was showing them that the issue was never the size of their faith but the object of it. That same honest desire shows up throughout the Gospels—in a father who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). He brought his weakness directly to Jesus without pretense. God is not offended by our need; He meets us where we are and invites us to bring our weakness to Him so He can strengthen our trust in His power, His promises, and His unfailing character—something only He can build. 
2. Read God’s Word. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Reading the Bible with the Holy Spirit’s guidance is one of the best methods for building your faith. When we spend consistent time in God’s Word, four things happen:

• • His Word edifies us by building us up and strengthening our spiritual vitality
  • His Word encourages us by lifting us during times of hardship and trial
  • His Word empowers us by giving us strength to resist sin, doubt, and fear
  • His Word enlightens us by revealing His divine nature and His unwavering truth

3. Fast and pray. Fasting and prayer are powerful ways to draw near to God, silence the pull of the flesh, and give Him your full attention. When the disciples could not cast out an unclean spirit, Jesus told them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29 ESV). Scripture often connects fasting with seasons of humility, repentance, guidance, and deep dependence on the Lord. When you set aside physical appetites and daily distractions to focus on God and His Word, your heart becomes more attentive to Him, more sensitive to His voice, and more surrendered to His will. In seasons of fear, doubt, or spiritual resistance, fasting under the Lord’s direction can strengthen your faith, sharpen your discernment, and remind you that true victory comes from His power—not your own strength.
4. Worship and praise Him.Through praise and worship, God’s children are made more aware of His mighty power and His excellent greatness. Judah’s King Jehoshaphat was confronted by three nations who sought to destroy his people. Facing potential disaster, Jehoshaphat chose faith over fear. When Judah worshiped God ahead of a great battle, God ambushed their enemies and gave Judah the victory (2 Chronicles 20). What was true for Jehoshaphat and his army remains true for us today. Worship ignites gratitude and fuels faith by reminding us of God’s greatness.
5. Speak God’s Word. Spoken words have tremendous power. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Choose to speak life, encouragement, and faith-building words instead of negativity or discouragement. Speaking God’s Word is not about forcing an outcome; it is about agreeing with His truth. As we declare what God has said, our minds are renewed, our hearts are steadied, and our faith is anchored in His promises.

What Can Hinder Your Faith?

In Hebrews 12:1, we are admonished to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us. These weights not only hinder our spiritual progress, they can keep us from fully receiving and walking in the faith God desires to strengthen in us. These barriers include fear, doubt, unforgiveness, or pride.

The key to removing these obstacles is repentance. When you repent, you realign your heart with God, making space for His Spirit to strengthen and grow your faith. Repentance clears the pathway, while prayer, worship, and the Word keep your faith alive and active. Repentance cleanses the heart; faith fills it with hope, confidence, and victory.

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Are you ready to grow stronger in your walk with God? Put these five tools into practice today and learn how to walk in victory every day with the Spiritual Growth Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing in Faith

How can I increase my faith in God?
You can increase your faith by drawing near to God through prayer, reading His Word, fasting, worshiping Him, and speaking His truth. Faith is not something we manufacture in our own strength; it grows as we depend on God, receive His Word, and respond to Him in obedience. Like the father who cried, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NKJV), we can honestly bring our weakness to Jesus and ask Him to strengthen our trust in Him.

What does the Bible say about growing in faith?
The Bible teaches that believers are called to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7) and that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 NKJV). Faith grows as we hear God’s Word, believe His promises, obey His commands, and depend on the Holy Spirit. Scripture also shows that faith is refined through testing (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7), strengthened through perseverance, and anchored in the faithfulness of God—not in our circumstances.

What can weaken my faith?
Fear, doubt, unforgiveness, pride, sin, distraction, and spiritual neglect can hinder your walk with God. Hebrews 12:1 calls believers to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” so we can run the race of faith with endurance. Repentance helps clear the way for renewed trust, surrender, and spiritual growth. As we turn from what entangles us and fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV), our hearts are strengthened to trust Him more fully.