We began–a few weeks back–examining assurances of salvation. But, for the Christian, there is the temptation to wrestle with a niggling temptation of doubt. Said temptations can come when circumstances aren’t turning out as expected or for no reason at all.
Therefore, we asked, “How can one process through and reach the other side of doubt in a healthy way?” We answered with the following illustration, examining the Mighty Acts of God first.
Today, we’re going to continue the answer to that question by looking at the prayers of Jesus.
We’ll focus on three of Jesus’ prayers that will help us:
- Seek God just as we are…
- Learn how to pray…
- Rest in God’s initiative toward us…
Seek God just as we are… “At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.”
Luke 10:21
Learn how to pray… “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
Matthew 6:9-13
Rest in God’s initiative toward us... “‘For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
John 17:19-21
God help us all struggle with doubt well.
— January 12, 2023