“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Overcoming Doubt!

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’”
John 20:27 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on overcoming doubt even as we consider how Jesus loves those who doubt.  It ought to be comforting to everyone to know that Jesus understands the doubts we have and loves us so much that He patiently walks us through our disbelief.  When we take our doubts to Jesus, He presents Himself to us in such a way that we can believe fully in Him.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be aware of the doubts that enter you life at any time.  Pray that you would know the evidence of Jesus that is strong enough to overcome all doubts.  Pray that you would know the love of God that doesn’t waver because of your doubts and embraces you in a way that removes doubt.  Pray that you would love people who doubt and share with them the good news of a God who can be believed in.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please pray each day for God’s help in overcoming doubt.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Overcoming Doubt With God’s Help.  Pray that you would always turn to God when you have doubts.  Pray that your belief would be strengthened by God as you recognize the tension between belief and unbelief.  Pray that you and the people around you would know God’s love even in moments of doubt.  “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  Mark 9:24 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Overcoming Doubt By the Testimony of Jesus.  Pray that the testimony of God about Jesus would help you overcome doubt.  Pray that you would live in such a way that people see the testimony of Jesus through you.  Pray that the love of God would be known to all through the testimony of Jesus.  “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.”  John 1:7 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Overcoming Doubt By Listening to Truth.  Pray that you would listen intently to the truth of  God’s Word.  Pray that your belief is strengthened through the truth of God you learn from others.  Pray that your love for people would be known by the truth you share.  “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”  John 4:42 (NIV)

Thursday:  Overcoming Doubt By the Work of God.  Pray that you would know the work of God in your life that leads to belief.  Pray that you would be actively involved in the work of God by sharing your belief in Jesus.  Pray that the people around you would know of God’s love as you share the good news of Jesus.  “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”  John 6:29 (NIV)

Friday:  Overcoming Doubt By Faith.  Pray that you faith in God would grow in such a way that it continually pushes all doubt away.  Pray that you would be one who seeks to please God through a life of faith.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Saturday:  Overcoming Doubt By God’s Word.  Pray that God’s Word would fill you with a knowledge of eternal life that expels doubt.  Pray that you would love people enough to share God’s Word with them.  Pray that the knowing and sharing of God’s Word would spread a growing belief in Jesus.  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  1 John 5:13 (NIV)