“Now may the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13
Lies and doubt have been woven into human nature, thanks to that conversation in the garden between Satan, Adam and Eve. He whispers questions to us like, “Is God really good?”, “Does He really do what He says?”, or “Does He really love you?” Then, when we encounter things that happen in the world that hurt us, we are told to have faith, trust God, and look to Him to be our hope. When we do spend time with Him in His word and in prayer, He restores us. In his presence he renews us, we feel His presence and we feel hope. However, after days, weeks, months, and years of difficulty, that faith can become depleted and we as believers can feel forgotten, overlooked, or unprotected by what has happened to us. Honestly, we sometimes don’t even realize this has happened. Sadly, this is where the enemy likes to enter into the church and cause division and doubt.
During chaos or difficult circumstances, we find ways to tell ourselves that “God is good and because of Him I am good”, to get by. While this statement is true, it is not what the Father desires for us. His desire is that we would come into relationship with Him and honestly lay down our hurts, burdens, stresses, and fears. He invites us to enter the throne of grace in prayer boldly that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need (Heb 4:16).
In college, I befriended my roommate’s brother, during a season where he began to doubt his faith and started turning his life from God. His family prayed for him and my friend tried many times to speak life into his brother but he didn’t want to hear it. Instead, he continued down a destructive path. I joined in praying for this young man and felt that God wanted me to write an anonymous letter. In the correspondence I felt God prompting me to call him out on his actions and speak truth to him in a loving way. While I was a little unsure, I wrote the letter and delivered it. About a week later, my roommate shared that his brother had expressed remorse for his actions and decided to recommit his life to the Lord. We were all grateful and praised God.
Several years later, I happened to be in town and had dinner with my roommate’s family. After dinner, the brother took me aside and pulled a letter out of his pocket. He looked me in the eyes and asked if I had written the letter. I hesitantly admitted it was me, to which he replied, with his eyes tearing up, “Thank you.”
This is why we need to surround ourselves with a safe community of believers to encourage us, to speak life, and to ‘be Jesus’ to us when our faith is withered. We are not meant to do life on our own. There is nothing worse than feeling defeated and alone. The enemy would love nothing more than to see our faith depleted only to have us separated from a body of believers.
You may be praying for someone in this season who has walked away from their faith. They may have given up on God and decided to walk away from their faith. As a united body, let’s link arms in prayer and contend for those who once walked with Jesus to return to him.
Or this may be you. If so, I invite you to risk turning back to God and giving him another chance. Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart, mind and soul and heal all the wounded places. Dive back into His word and ask for a fresh revelation of God’s truth into those places that need healing and hope.
Listening Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit how he wants you to pray for those who have walked away from their faith. If this is you, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas of your life that have lost hope and areas where your faith has weakened. Invite Him into areas where lies have crept into your mind and where you need truth to reign.
Prayer: Father, there is so much happening in this world and in the lives around us. Would you quiet my mind and my heart that I could hear you over all the noise? Would you speak to me now Holy Spirit and show me the places where I can encourage those who have lost faith and hope in Your wonder working power. Minister to their hearts and mine, Lord. Renew mindsets and help us all to walk this season out with strength and steadiness. I ask for strategy and for truth to come back to you when we feel down. We proclaim our trust in you and have faith that you work all things for the good of those who love you. Restore back to you those who have walked away from their faith. God, they are your children and they need you. Help us to have faith for their restoration in you. God, we trust you and we love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Resources: Bible Verses
Exodus 15:2 “
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation, this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.”
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave or forsake you; Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Meditate on Psalm 1 or Psalm 91
Worship Songs: