²⁴ The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.^[a] Because of the joy^[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

¹¹ So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Encouragement during Persecution

³ Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.

²⁹ For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

⁴ I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

³¹ He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!