Just as we grow in our own lives, so too does our faith in God’s Church. But, growth is not a linear progression; there are highs and lows, challenges and triumphs. And so, just as there are times when you may need to rest or revitalize your physical body, so too are there times when you may need to strengthen your faith.
There are many reasons why you may seek to strengthen or deepen your faith in God:
- You may be enduring a personal crisis or hardship, such as illness, loss, or financial troubles, and seeking to draw upon a source of strength and stability.
- You could be struggling with a loss of faith and are seeking purpose and meaning in your lives to better understand your place in the world and your life’s mission.
- Or maybe you’re looking for a deeper relationship with God to experience a sense of spiritual fulfillment, inner peace, and the presence of the divine in your life.
- You want to re-engage with your faith after it took a back seat to other parts of your life, such as school, your career, or raising a family.
Whatever your personal reason for wanting to increase your faith, there are actions you can take to forge a deeper and more meaningful connection with God’s loving and merciful presence.
Here are seven ways you can deepen your faith, informed by the liturgy of the Catholic Church and the Franciscan tradition.
Seven Ways to Deepen Your Faith
Read the Bible and other Religious Texts.
How can you love something you don’t know?
Giving priority to learning what your faith is all about is a really good first step. Scripture establishes the tenets of faith, and returning to the Bible is important not just for refreshing your understanding about what it teaches. As the living Word of God, scripture can provide instruction for daily living and how to interact with the world around us. A deeper and more personal connection with Scripture is a powerful way to deepen your faith. Consider the following suggestions:
- Schedule a regular Bible reading on your calendar or follow a structured reading plan, such as reading a passage before bed.
- When you have the urge to check social media, consider instead turning toward the Bible or a devotional.
- Don’t feel like you have to go it alone — make use of helpful tools, such as study Bibles or digital applications. You can also start up or join a Bible study group.
You can also explore other religious texts that offer their own reflections on Jesus’ teachings. In learning history or the lives of the Saints, you can find examples of people who searched for ways to strengthen their faith. You might find inspiration in learning how their decisions were made, or comfort if someone has asked the same questions you are asking yourself.
In the Franciscan tradition, we take inspiration from St. Francis, St. Clare and others to understand how we may better embody virtues of humility, love, and joy and how to bring them to the world. By understanding their faith journeys, we may be able to increase our own faith.
Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Embrace the Divine Presence.
At the heart of Franciscan theology is the belief in the Incarnation.
To contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation is to see Christ in all aspects of life and in all people. Recognizing the divine presence in everyday experiences and in every person — especially the marginalized — is a key step in deepening your faith.
The Incarnation is significant for several reasons, but perhaps the most important is that it is a profound realization of the goodness of creation. By taking on human flesh, God sanctified the material world, underscoring the value of human life and the physical universe.
St. Francis emphasized that true faith is lived out through daily actions that reflect the teachings of Christ. St. Francis’s writings reflect his vision of the unity of all creation under God, and so he would spontaneously praise God whenever he encountered something beautiful or awe-inspiring. He encouraged his followers to see every moment and every encounter — even suffering — as an opportunity to praise God’s presence in all things.
Find Fellowship with Others.
Franciscan spirituality places great emphasis on the idea that God is revealed in and through relationships. By fostering relationships of mutual respect, love, service, and care, you can deepen your faith in God. Being an active part of a community can provide you with opportunities to provide support, encouragement, and service to others — just as Christ did. By following in Christ’s footsteps, you can deepen your connection to God and further your spiritual development.
If you’re wondering how to find fellowship, be open and accepting of opportunities to connect with others, even with people of other faiths.
To find fellowship with other Christians, look to build relationships that are grounded in shared faith, mutual encouragement, and a collective commitment to living out the teachings of Christ. Find ways to be more involved with your church as an active participant. If you are not currently a member of a church, research opportunities with faith-based organizations (FBOs) in your area.
You can also find interfaith fellowship built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared values, rather than shared religious beliefs. While interfaith fellowship may differ from the deeper spiritual fellowship found within a shared religious community, it can lead to meaningful connections, greater mutual understanding, and collaboration for the common good.
Colossians 2:6-7 – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Experience the Wonder of Creation.
St. Francis often spoke of the importance of seeing God in all creation. In the Canticle of the Creatures, he praised God for all aspects of the natural world, seeing them as reflections of God’s goodness. St. Francis believed that recognizing God’s presence in creation could help deepen faith, as it fosters a sense of awe and gratitude towards the Creator.
CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES
| Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honour, and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention Your name. Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. |
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs. Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility. |
Because the divine is made manifest within all things in the universe, you should also look for God’s presence through everyday life, in your family members, co-workers, neighbors, and other relationships. Deepening your faith can involve cultivating a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world, seeing it as a reflection of God’s goodness and an opportunity for encountering the divine. Look for ways you can spend time in nature to connect with God and nurture your spirit.
Put your Faith into Action.
Be active in the world — just as Jesus sought to bring comfort to others, an important part of deepening your faith in God is to seek others and offer them the service of your talents and skills. Doing good works for others is a recognition of the divinity in all of us, and a way to serve God in all aspects of our lives.
- Volunteer at a local charity
- Contribute to a food pantry
- Visit someone who is sick
- Help a neighbor with a task
- Open your home to others
- Attend or organize social events
- Provide mentorship to others
- Take time to listen to others
James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Take Time to Pray and Meditate.
In the Gospel of Mark, after feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him by boat while He dismisses the crowd. Mark 6:46 says, “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.”
Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus often withdrawing to solitary places to pray by Himself. This approach to prayer is central to the Franciscan way of life and is encouraged as a means of nurturing an intimate connection with God. St. Francis was also known for his deep prayer life, which included extended periods of contemplative prayer.
Contemplation, in the Franciscan tradition, involves quietly focusing the mind and heart on God, often without words. This form of prayer is akin to meditation in its emphasis on silence, stillness, and attentiveness to the divine, with the idea of simply resting in God’s presence. Other forms of prayer and medication can include:
- Taking walks in nature while recognizing and praising God’s blessings in all aspects of life
- Reciting The Liturgy of the Hours, a series of prayers that includes Psalms, readings, and hymns
- Intercessory prayer — praying for others — especially the poor, the sick, and those suffering
Above all, it is important to be open and honest in your prayers.
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Cultivate a Spirit of Humility and Detachment.
St. Francis of Assisi modeled a life of humility and voluntary detachment, seeing these as means to grow closer to God. In the Rule of 1221 (the Earlier Rule), he instructed his brothers to possess nothing of their own, “neither house, nor place, nor anything,” but to be as pilgrims and strangers in this world, serving the Lord in “poverty and humility.”
This spirit of humility and detachment doesn’t mean that you must give up all worldly possessions, but it does ask that you practice Catholic or Franciscan minimalism — which is the intentional embracing of simplicity. By welcoming simplicity and detachment from material wealth, you can create space in your lives for God and develop a deeper connection with your faith.
Faith, as part of your lived experience in the world, must be nurtured. Finding different ways of practicing your faith and reflecting on it can offer the reinforcement you need during even the most difficult times.
In the Franciscan tradition, strengthening faith comes about through caring for all creation, serving the less fortunate, recognizing everyone’s unique experience, and the practice of lifelong conversion. We all must actively search for ways to give our time, our talents, and our treasures.
The Master of Theological Studies — Franciscan Theology program helps people to express their faith through study, aiding them in living out the Gospel in simplicity, prayer, service, and a profound love for God and all His creation. You’re invited to learn more about this program and how it provides the academic knowledge and practical wisdom you can apply to your own faith journey.