Morning Prayer - Touch My Unbelief

Jesus,

You come to me in the silence of this morning, just as You came to Your frightened disciples. My doors are also locked this morning – the doors of my heart. But You enter nonetheless.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ (John 20:19)

Your peace is the first thing You give me. A peace that surpasses all understanding and calms the storms in my soul.

Lord, touch my unbelief

However, Lord, I admit that I too, like the disciples, often become troubled and afraid. You ask me with the same gentleness and patience.

And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ (Luke 24:38)

And because You know my frailty, You offer me not just words, but Yourself. You invite me to be certain that You are real, that You are alive.

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. (Luke 24:39)

So often I do not recognize You, Lord, and I need Your touch, so that when I fail to recognize You, I may not be unbelieving, but believing.

Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ (John 20:27)

My heart is sometimes so full of joy and wonder at Your presence that it can hardly believe.

And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?'”(Luke 24:41)

And You, in Your incredible love, go a step further and share with me the most ordinary things, to show me that You are truly here, with me, in my life.

They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. (Luke 24:42-43)

Open my mind to the Scriptures

Lord, Your presence is not only a comfort, but also a revelation. Everything that happened was not a coincidence, but the fulfillment of Your eternal plan.

Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ (Luke 24:44)

I ask You, do this for me today as well. Open my mind, that I may understand Your Word and Your will for me.

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)

Explain the Scriptures to me, Lord, so that in all that I read, I may see You.

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)

That I may understand the essence of Your message – Your suffering and resurrection for my salvation.

And said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.’ (Luke 24:46)

May I be Your witness

This message is not only for me. It is hope for the whole world.

“And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

I know that I cannot be Your witness on my own. But You have promised me power.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Thank You for calling me and for trusting me. Today, I wish to be Your witness.