A Prayer to Escape Doubt
By Meg Bucher
“For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love.” Ephesians 1:4 (NET)
“Are you ready?" I asked my daughter excitedly as we drove away from the school day and onto a new adventure.“Mommy …” she trailed off in amazement as the ballet company practice came into our line of sight. Nervous, but sure of her dream, she stretched and gazed upon the very thing she had envisioned herself doing so many times.
Our dreams are road maps to God’s growing process for our individual purpose. He chose us so specifically and specially to walk out into the world equipped with the ability He put in us, to spread His love in the way that only we can.
The word chose in the above verse is the Greek word, eklegomai, a verb that means “to choose, set apart, elect.” “It sometimes refers to decisions made by people …but can also signify the electing activity of God according to his divine purpose and grace.” -Mounce’s Complete Expository DirectoryDo we realize, when we walk out into a day filled with clouds of doubt, that the God of the universe is concerned about what we’re up to?
New beginnings, impossible dreams, and lists of un-qualifications can derail our walk towards the freedom and peace that He promises us. “Holy and unblemished.” He forgets our sin, gave us His son, and resides within us through His Holy Spirit. Yet we still have days strangled with doubt. Well aware of the inevitable imperfections that come along with being human, we let our struggles take the lead. But shortcomings were never meant to make us shortsighted in our view of who we are.
“It is not our own awareness that we are sinful people that first turns us toward God; rather, God in his mercy awakens that awareness within us.” NIV Quest Study Bible Notes
We are called to face our fears and risk the unknown to follow the dream that God has laid upon our hearts. Giving Him the lead enables us to discover how ready we are to walk into the next lesson of growth. Bravery and determination in the face of fear and doubt come not from the depths of our own hearts, but His within us. When we put our lives in His capable hands, we are able to view it from His perspective.
“God chose us to be in a relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him.” Ephesians 1:4 (VOICE)
When doubtful agendas cause us to forget who God has already said that we are, let’s pray for Peace to sweep in and take over.
Father,
Praise You for peace and purpose. You know every strain, thread and thought of our lives. The care and love that You put into the people we are is part of Your great and compassionate character. Let us remember that when our days threaten to fill up with doubt, You rain down hope and assurance that we are worthy, chosen, and free.
Thank You for the journey each life inevitably unfolds. There’s not enough time to witness all of the marvelous stories of courage and triumph that You have worked out in the lives that surround us and fill this world. Let stories of inspiration flood our hearts with assurance and love, sweeping doubt away. Let our hearts flow with the current of Your truth and the promises that You have laid throughout Scripture for us to see.
When we look out at the sunrise, may we welcome another day full of life and purpose. And as the sun sets, we pray to finish each day well, unassured of how many more will follow.
Thank you for setting us free from sin. Forgive us for allowing ourselves to be enslaved by lies and imperfections that Christ has already conquered on the cross.
Bless the dreams that You lay on our hearts. Help us to stay in tune with Your will. Align the ambitions of our hearts to Your plan. We know that Your plans for our lives are more than we can imagine or ask for. Praise You, Lord Jesus!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Originally published Tuesday, 07 May 2019.
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