Prayer

I have a prayer practice every day.

It takes a while because there are many people whom I pray for – family, friends, and people I connect with throughout my day whose stories capture my heart.

As I was praying yesterday a thought popped into my head. “What if there is no outcome to these prayers? What if there is no point to this?”

I quickly pushed those thoughts away, yet I noticed how at that moment I faltered. The doubt giving rise to the idea of stopping …

Later that day I was reading Matthew 14 – the story about Jesus walking on water and Peter asking if he could join him…

“Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
Matthew 14:28-31 MSG

What caught my attention were the words “when he looked down …”

I could see how Peter’s doubt in Jesus, who happened to be standing right in front of him, was not unlike my doubt, standing in front of all my prayer requests … 

I’m pretty sure if Peter had kept his eyes on Jesus and not on what he could see or what he knew [about water], he wouldn’t have started to sink.

If I look down and falter in my belief in the prayers, I pray then I know the worry and anxiety that tries to take over, will have it’s way with me and I will start to sink too. 

Interestingly in the Bible app that I use for my study, the verse for that day was this:

“Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying ...”
Ephesians 6:18 CEV

So encouraging! That I can and should, overrule doubt with … MORE prayer.

Photo by Sebastian Rück on Unsplash