God's longing for the faith of the people is already clear to us in the Old Testament.  It places before us again and again various pictures of God's "pain" over the people: a people who gave their trust to other powers and did not believe in the possibilities of God.  That is brought before us in its most concentrated form when we look at the life of Christ.  In all his journeys, Christ sought people who through their faith were opened to the endless possibilities of God.  Whoever sees Jesus "sees the Father" (John 14:9).

- Matthew 8:5-13 ("Not even in Israel have I found such faith")

Meditate on this text looking at your life and your faith... .

Metaphor meditation:

- "My faith is for me like..."