The Many Faces of Fear: Doubt (Fearless Faith pt5)

Doubt
     This is a particularly dangerous type of fear because it has the ability to sabotage our prayer life. It sneaks in while we are praying and instead of knowing God will do something we only hope he will. A fearless prayer is much more effective than one stricken with doubt. If we pray with a mind full of doubt it is almost like saying we don't truly believe that God will answer our prayer.
     I'm not saying that praying when in doubt is pointless because God grants us grace in this situation but it does seems to make our answers come more slowly than if we fully believed. At least that's the way it has been in my experience.
     If we let it take control it even makes us miserable because when we've given fully into doubt we actually believe that the thing we want to happen won't and that is exactly what doubt is. The fear that something you want to happen won't or even simpler the fear that something won't happen.

Matthew 14:29-31
²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

     As we see from Peter's experience it only takes one stray thought to begin to sink in our own sea of doubt. Peter began to listen to the wind and waves instead of what was truly important. If we can keep our eyes on Jesus and ignore what we think is law than nothing will be impossible for us. We all know that with God all things are possible so lets put that to the test.

Matthew 21:21
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

Mark 11:23
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

     If we believe undoubtedly, nothing will be impossible for us. A truly fearless prayer will yield results. Sometimes we don't see those results right away but it will always yield results. It can be tough to overcome but I believe that once we do we will bare witness to many wondrous miracles. It's just like Jesus said. All things are possible to him who believes.

James 1:5-8
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

     Wisdom is one of the best things to pray for and by far the easiest to believe for. I've had many situations in which I needed some spiritual guidance and so I asked God. He will always be faithful to answer you when you need guidance. It's much easier to believe something when you know it's God's will for your life.

1 Timothy 2:8
 ⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

     God wants us to be doubt free. Also we should pray about everything. It shouldn't matter where we are or who is around us. When we see a need or need some guidance about an issue we should pray. As Christians we have a bad habit of telling people we will pray for them but then going about our business and most of the time we never do. It's time we all got out of our comfort zones and started waking in faith as God would have us do.
     When you say something believe it. When you pray for something know that it's going to happen. Expect the miracle. Don't deny God's power in your life by allowing your faith to waiver. Just know that everything will work together for your good.