Hope When You're Running Low on Faith - Your Nightly Prayer - September 24th

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Hope When You’re Running Low on Faith
Your Nightly Prayer
By Greg Grandchamp

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE 

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” - Matthew 17:20

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Maybe you have been there. Maybe you’re there right now. All hope seems lost, or is so far buried in the fog of despair that you’re struggling to keep your faith. The feelings are not uncommon, even to the strongest believers, especially when facing difficulties we just can’t overcome.

Health issues, or a tragic diagnosis for you or someone you love. Financial hardship may be caused by a job loss or another issue outside your control. A shattered relationship that you thought would last forever. Unanswered prayers. The list of potentials is as long as…well, endless. Whatever the source or issue might be, it has triggered your faith to crumble.  

It is so easy to feel completely alone and overwhelmed, with no one to turn to. You likely question where God is in all of this. Deep inside, we tell ourselves that we should know better and that there must be something wrong with us to question God. And that guilty sense seems simply to make matters worse.

Yet, it is not at all unusual to feel hopeless when everything around you seems to be falling apart at the seams. Feeling a bit…well, lost, is a very natural and common response to difficult situations.

But the good news is—there is hope. We may have lost sight of God, but He has not lost sight of us. He is still there, waiting for us.

Did you know we have an advocate praying for us in heaven when we struggle? Jesus is that advocate – just as He prayed for Peter, so He prays for us. (1 John 2:1) And brother or sister, that ought to help you know there is a light – His light – at the end of your dark tunnel.

Living in Colorado, we are quite accustomed to sometimes harsh winters. Everything dies in winter. The flowers all look withered and dead. It would seem appropriate that our lives sometimes feel the same, withered in the cold of winter storms. And we can’t see spring's warmth and new growth ahead of us. But we know it’s there. And then it begins – a little at a time at first, but we see the glimmer of hope for new life that slowly descends upon the fields and gardens. Soon, it will all be in full bloom.

When you’re feeling lost – or hopeless or broken – don’t try to push it down. It’s okay to allow yourself to feel that way. Yes, we all process things differently – and however you’re feeling is natural.

Talk to God about it. And don’t worry—you won’t be telling Him anything He doesn’t already know. Let him know how you feel. Be honest. Whatever you have to say, God has heard it before.

Jesus taught us that we can move mountains if our faith is as small as a mustard seed. We can shut the mouths of lions and quell the flames of fire that have overtaken our lives.

Connect with someone you can talk to—a friend in your church community, a pastor, or simply a Godly friend who will listen and understand. Share how you’re feeling and let them share your burden. They will love you for trusting them.

Look for the minor signs of spring. Signs of hope. Sometimes they might come in the smallest ways – like a flower blooming when it really shouldn’t, or a ray of sunshine sneaking through the clouds.

Remember that God is not absent—He is with you, always, especially in your darkest hours.  

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
You know how I’m feeling right now. You know I’m searching for answers and not finding them. I may not always know where you are in all this, but I trust you’re here with me. I know I can lean on you to keep me strong and to see me through this dark time. Please, shine your light into my heart. Thank you, Father. 
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Let’s always remember that Jesus' and the apostle Paul's prayers went unanswered. God has a better plan.

2. In the Psalms, check out how David often felt – asking God where He was in all the turmoil and how long He would hide His face from him.

3. Read about the faith of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego facing the flames of death in Daniel 3.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/James Robinson

Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, “In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins,” is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives – and on creating true disciples of Christ.
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email  or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.