Although faith is the first step towards justification, and may exist firm and strong in those who are at enmity with God, yet its presence has the power to obtain from God many graces. It is one of the most certain means of obtaining what we want from Almighty God. He who asks in faith, and doubts not of God's willingness to hear, and power to grant his petition, is sure to obtain it if it is for his spiritual advantage, and if he himself puts no obstacle in the way. Our Lord has promised it: "Whatever you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive."
Faith is moreover the most efficacious means of inducing God to work miracles for us, whether in the physical or the moral order. Our Lord made faith the condition of healing the sick while He was on earth. He said to the woman of Canaan, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt." So now it is those of simple faith to whom miracles are most often granted, not to the wise and learned of this world. If only we firmly believe in our Lord's power to help us, and in His love and willingness to come to our aid, we are certain to obtain His help.
But the greatest benefit that accompanies a strong faith is the sense of dependence that faith carries with it. As long as a man has the faith, he turns naturally to God in trouble and distress, and when the hour of death draws nigh, if he is not hardened by persistent sin and willful resistance to the grace of God, he can scarce avoid that act of submission which is the key of heaven. O my God, grant that at the hour of death I may have a strong faith as well as a fervent charity!
- text from Beautiful Pearls of Catholic Truth; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Diocese of New York, 6 October 1897