“Now the boy’s father cried out with tears and said, ‘I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!'” – Mark 9:24
“Where is my faith? Even in the depths of my soul there is nothing but emptiness and darkness… God, if you exist, please forgive me.”
You may be surprised to learn who the author of these words is. Mother Teresa. Beloved and known as a tireless helper of the poor in Calcutta, she quietly waged a desperate war for her faith for five decades. After her death in 1997, this war became known when fragments of her diary were published in the book Come and Be My Light.
What do we do with our doubts or our sense of God’s absence? These moments may bother some believers more than others. However, many faithful Christians may experience moments of such doubts at some point in their lives.
I am thankful that the Bible contains a wonderful example of a paradoxical prayer that expresses both faith and lack of faith. In the 9th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, it is told how Jesus meets a father whose son has been tormented by demons since childhood (v. 21). When Jesus said that a person must have faith (“to him who believes, all things are possible”, v. 23), the man replied: “I believe, Lord – help my unbelief” (v. 24).
This honest and heartfelt plea encourages those struggling with doubt to surrender it to God, trusting that He can strengthen our faith and hold us fast as we walk through the deepest and darkest valleys.
When have you struggled to deal with doubt in your spiritual journey? What spiritual resources have helped you not lose faith?
Dear Father, I sometimes doubt. Please help me to always feel Your presence.
Author: Adam Holtz
“And Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to Himself.” — Luke 18:40
For several days, the sick cat meowed piteously, hiding in a box near my place of work. The kitten, abandoned in the street, remained unnoticed by those who passed by, until June appeared. The janitor brought the animal home, where he lived with two dogs, formerly homeless.
“I take care of them because they are creatures that no one notices,” June said. “I see myself in them. After all, no one notices a street sweeper.”
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was approaching Jericho, where a blind man was sitting by the side of the road and begging for alms. He too felt unnoticed, especially on this day when the crowd was passing by and all eyes were focused on Christ. No one stopped to help the beggar.
Nobody but Jesus. In the middle of the noisy crowd, the Lord heard the cry of the forgotten man. “What do you want me to do to you?” – asked Christ. The blind beggar answered: “Lord, let me become sighted!” Then Jesus said, “Become a seer! Your faith has saved you!” (Luke 18:41-42).
Do you sometimes feel overlooked? Are your pleas drowning in the noise of the people around you? The Savior notices those whom the world does not notice. Turn to Him for help! Though others pass by, He will stop.
How would knowing that Jesus sees you change the way you feel about yourself and your life? Who among those around you may need to be noticed, and how can you “pause” to encourage them with the Savior’s love?
Dear Jesus, thank you for hearing me when I cry out to you. Help me, like a blind man who has received sight, to follow You and praise You all my life.
Author: Karen Huang
“I lie down and sleep and wake up because the Lord supports me.” — Psalm 3:6
Bad memories and remorse filled Sel’s mind. Fear filled the heart, and sweat stood out on the forehead. It was the night before his baptism, and he could not stop the onslaught of dark thoughts. Sel received salvation in Jesus and knew that his sins were forgiven, but the spiritual battle continued. Then his wife took his hand and prayed for him. In a moment, fear was replaced by peace in Sel’s heart. He stood up and wrote the words he wanted to share before his baptism, something he hadn’t been able to do before. After writing the text, he fell into a sweet sleep.
King David also knew what a restless night was like. Fleeing from his son Absalom, who wanted to seize his throne (2 Sam. 15-17), he knew that “ten thousand people…camped around [him]” (Ps. 3:7). David said with a groan: “How many are my enemies” (v. 2). Despite fear and doubts, he called out to God, to his “shield” (v. 4). However, later David realized and said: “I lie down and sleep… because the Lord supports me” (v. 6).
When fears and difficulties grip our minds, and rest turns to restlessness, we renew our hope if we turn to God in prayer. Even if we don’t immediately fall into a sweet sleep like Sel and David, in peace we will lie down and sleep… and live safely. God is with us and He will be our rest.
What oppresses your heart and mind? How to bring this burden to God in prayer?
Dear God, thank you that when I come to you in prayer, you fill my heart with hope and peace.
Author: Tom Felten
“He is the first of all, and all things stand by Him.” — Colossians 1:17
According to Discover magazine, there are about 700 quintillion (that’s the number 7 with 20 zeros) planets in the universe, but none of them are Earth-like. Astrophysicist Erik Zakrisson says that one of the requirements for a planet that can support life is that it orbit in a “golden zone” with the right temperature and possibility for water to exist. Of the 700 quintillion planets, Earth is the only planet where conditions are exactly like this. Zakrisson concluded that the planet Earth was somehow “very lucky”.
The Apostle Paul assured the believers in Colossae that the universe exists not because of “lady luck”, but because of the work of Jesus. The apostle presents Christ as the Creator of the world: “For by Him all things were created” (Col. 1:16). Jesus is not only the mighty Creator of the world, but also “by Him all things stand” (v. 17). It keeps the world at the proper temperature necessary for human existence. Jesus sustains the world by displaying perfect wisdom and infinite power.
Enjoying the beauty of the world and living in the midst of this beauty, let us pay attention not to a random coincidence of circumstances, but to the purposeful, sovereign, powerful and loving activity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom “all [God’s] fullness” is (v. 19).
What does it mean to you to know that Jesus is in control of the natural world and your personal world? What is your dependence on Him?
Dear Jesus, thank you for lovingly and wisely creating this world and sustaining it.
Author: Marvin Williams
“Two are better than one… and if they fall, one will pick up its friend.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Søren Solker has spent years photographing starlings and the fascinating spectacle of hundreds of thousands of birds moving smoothly through the sky as one unit. To observe this miracle is like sitting under a raging wave or under a massive brushstroke flowing into a kaleidoscope of patterns. In Denmark, this phenomenon is called the “black sun” (this is also the name of a stunning book with Solker’s photographs). The most impressive thing is how starlings instinctively follow their closest mate, flying so close that if one of them misses a beat, it will lead to mass disaster. However, starlings use murmurs to protect each other. When a hawk descends, these tiny creatures form a tight formation and move collectively, fending off a predator that could easily grab them if they were alone.
Together is better than alone. Ecclesiastes says: “Two are better than one… and if they fall, one will lift up his friend… Also, when two lie down, they will be warm” (Eccl. 4:9-11). Alone, we can become easy prey. We are vulnerable without the comfort and protection of other people.
However, with comrades we give and receive help. Ecclesiastes says: “And if someone attacks one, they will stand against him together, and the triple thread will not soon break” (v. 12). Together is better under God’s guidance.
Why are you more vulnerable when separated from each other? How do you approach others?
Dear God, please help me to be in community and show Your love.
Author: Wynn Collier
“You are no longer strangers and strangers, but fellow citizens of the saints, and at home for God.” — Ephesians 2:19
In the book All Sad is Untrue, Daniel Nyeri describes his harrowing escape with his mother and sister from persecution through a refugee camp to safety in the United States. The elderly couple agreed to take them under their care, although they did not know them. Years have passed, but Daniel still can’t come to his senses. He writes: “Can you believe it? They did it completely blindly. They never even saw us. If we turned out to be villains, they would have to pay for it. I can’t even imagine a more courageous, kind and desperate act.”
However, God wants us to show the same level of concern for others. He commanded Israel to be kind to foreigners. “You will love him as yourself, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:34). The Apostle Paul reminds the Gentiles who believe in Christ, that is, you and me, that once we “were without Christ… strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). Therefore, He commands all of us, former foreigners, Jews and Gentiles: “Do not forget to love the newcomers” (Heb. 13:2).
Now living with her own family, Daniel praises Jim and Jean Dosan, “who were true Christians in allowing a refugee family to live with them until they could find their own home.”
God welcomes strangers and encourages us to do the same.
Who is the outsider in your world? How do you invite these people into your space?
Lord Jesus, show me a stranger whom You want me to show love to.
Author: Mike Whittmer
“Clothe yourself… in sincere charity.” — Colossians 3:12
How does a person feel when they walk in the shoes of members of the royal family? Angela Kelly, the daughter of a longshoreman and a nurse, knows this first hand. She was the late Queen Elizabeth’s official wardrobe during the last two decades of the monarch’s life. One of her duties was to carry new shoes for the late queen as she walked around the palace in them. There was a reason for this: compassion for an elderly woman who sometimes had to stand for a long time at ceremonies. Because they wore the same shoe size, Kelly was able to save the queen from discomfort.
Kelly’s personal approach to Queen Elizabeth reminded me of the apostle Paul’s warm encouragement to the church in Colossae: “Clothe yourselves…with sincere charity, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12). If our lives are “built on” Jesus (Col. 2:7), we become “like God’s chosen, holy and beloved” (Col. 3:12). He helps us to put off the “old man” and “put on the new man” (vv. 9-10), to become those who love and forgive others, because God loved and forgave us (vv. 13-14).
All around us are those who need us to show them compassion in the daily difficulties of life. If we do this, then we are walking in the shoes of the King, Jesus, who always shows us compassion.
How has God shown you compassion? Who can you show His love to today?
Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and love. Help me not only to receive them from You, but also to give them to others.
Author: James Banks
“I have not closed the door to you.” —Revelation 3:8
When I moved to a new school near a big city, the head teacher assigned me to the lowest-performing English class. Before that, I worked at an inner-city school with great test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s writing award. However, the door to the “best” literature class in the new school was closed to me, because the headmaster decided that I was not suitable and not ready.
The church in ancient Philadelphia would have fully understood such failures. A small and modest community; her city has experienced earthquakes in recent years that have left behind great destruction. In addition, believers faced satanic opposition (Rev. 3:9). Such a neglected church had “little…power”, however, the resurrected Jesus said: “You have kept My Word, and you have not turned away from My Name” (v. 8). That is why God “did not close the door” to the church (v. 8). Indeed, “what He opens, no one will shut, what He shuts, no one will open” (v. 7).
The same applies to efforts in service. Some doors do not open. At the same time, God really opened the door for my literary activity for Him, allowing it to reach an international audience. A closed door will not hinder you, because Jesus said: “I am the door” (Jn. 10:9). So let us enter the door He opens and follow Him.
What doors has God opened for you? How is your ministry and life thriving while you wait for Him to open the door?
Dear God, if the door is closed to me, help me to turn to You and follow You.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“How long, Lord, will you forget me forever?” — Psalm 12:2
Great Britain is “full” of history. Everywhere you go, there are plaques commemorating historical figures and important events. At the same time, one of these monuments reflects the British sense of humor. A weathered memorial plaque near a small hotel in the town of Sandwich reads: “Nothing happened on this spot on September 5, 1782.”
Sometimes it seems to us that nothing happens after our prayers. We pray and pray, bringing our requests to Heavenly Father in the expectation that He will answer right now. The psalmist David expressed the same frustration when he prayed, “How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever, how long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 12:2). We may also have thoughts: “Lord, how long will we have to wait for You to answer?”
However, God is perfect not only in His wisdom, but also in terms of time. David was able to say: “I trust in Your mercy, my heart rejoices in Your salvation!” (v. 6). The book of Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” The word pregarny means “beautiful” or “pleasant”. God does not always answer prayers when we want him to, but He is always working to bring about His wise purposes. Therefore, let us not doubt that His answer will come exactly when it is right, good and beautiful.
When you prayed for something, did it seem like God ignored your requests? What did you learn while waiting?
Loving God, please help me to show in prayer the patience born of trust in You.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Always rejoice! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A colleague of mine once shared how her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was amazed, thinking that perhaps our difficult leader shared some spiritual truths with her and influenced the way she prayed. However, I was wrong. My friend continued to explain, “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her prayer life improved because she prayed more before every conversation with him. She knew that she needed God’s help in a difficult work relationship with her supervisor, so she began to turn to the Lord more.
I also adopted my colleague’s custom of praying in difficult times and during communication. This is also a biblical practice, which is mentioned in the 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians, where the Apostle Paul reminds Christians: “Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything” (1 Thess. 5:17-18). In all circumstances, prayer is always the best practice. It maintains our connection with God and invites His Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16). It helps us live in peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13), even in the face of conflict.
Thanks to God’s help, we can rejoice in Him, pray for everything and give thanks often. All this will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
What relationships do you need to pray about more often? How does prayer help us follow God’s guidance and not be guided by human inclinations?
Heavenly Father, please help me to pray constantly in the pursuit of a harmonious life with other people.
Author: Katara Patton
