A Doubter’s Prayer

So many Christians in our culture shy away from church and, often times, God because they have doubts about life, faith, and family.  People feel bad that they doubt.  They desire greater faith, but can’t figure out how to inspire hope and security.

Yet, doubt and faith are two sides of the same coin.  To doubt is to be human.  The Bible attests that God welcomes all who wrestle with their faith.  Abraham and Sarah doubted the ability to have a child promised by God; Jacob wrestled with God in the wilderness of despair.  Job questioned God’s justice and fairness, while Jesus asked for the “cup” of sacrifice be taken from him.

God doesn’t expect Christians to have all the answers before they come to Him, much less stubbornly hold to every belief that they’ve grown up with.   It seems clear that God only expects honesty and adoration, humility and a spirit of discovery.

Don’t let guilt or fear get the best of you today.  God helps with our belief, and God also helps us in our unbelief.

A prayer for doubters for today:

Lord, I am concerned–genuinely concerned–about the affairs of the universe.  I’ve pondered the problems of political ideology, of poverty, of war, of population explosion, and of civil rights.  Big problems.

They challenge because they are big problems.  They call for mass action, herculean efforts.  And I’m eager to plunge in. To save the world.

So what do I do, Lord?  How can I help slay these dragons?  I’ve already studied the problem, formed a committee, held discussions, made speeches.

And the problems are still there, bigger than ever.  Why can’t I get my teeth into the big problems? 

Lord, walk with me, simply walk with me.  Amen. 

(From “God Bless This Mess & Other Prayers, by Jo Carr and Imogene Sorley.)