“To see is to believe,” says the adage. Indeed, we have the desire to know the truth. At the same time, we are capable of looking for the truth. In the process, we encounter a journey toward deeper realizations in life.
However, doubts can sometimes paralyze us, especially when it comes to our faith in God. Questions come up in times of difficulty and trouble. Doubting can make these challenges much harder than we expect. And when we doubt, fear and anxiety follow.
In times of doubt, fear, or anxiety, we can turn to God for clarity and trust. Sometimes, what we expect is totally contrary to what is really happening in the real world. This makes us question our capability and even our faith in God. These prayers will help us entrust ourselves to God in times of doubt and fear.
Prayer in Times of Doubt
Most compassionate Father, absolute ruler, and creator, I praise and glorify You for Your wondrous deeds. You have shown Your power and majesty throughout the history of humankind. I am filled with awe as I reflect on Your beauty and power.
Lord, You have done great things in my life. I attest to all of what You have done for me all throughout these years. You have never abandoned me. My heart is filled with gratitude and praise for Your unceasing love and guidance.
But, Lord, there are times that I am overwhelmed by the things around me. I sometimes feel that I am undervalued. Some days, I feel like doubting my worth and what I can do. I feel like I am never enough, or I cannot go any further in my life or career. These are the times that I feel lost and empty.
Father, I am surrounded by choices and decisions. Every day, I must choose and act according to these decisions. At times, I doubt whether the choices I make are the best ones. I am unsure and anxious. Lord, please show me the path. Please help me to understand that having doubts is normal and acceptable for humans. Tell me once more where I may be sure. May Your light and guidance lead me to where my uncertainties vanish.
Lord, grant us faith. You have given us the seeds of faith. Therefore, Lord, we ask that You strengthen our confidence in the areas where we are afraid and have doubts. Lord, assist us in stopping idolizing the material possessions that we hold so dearly. Lord, assist us when we are tempted to turn Your provisions themselves into idols.
Lord God, I may not know what lies ahead of me. In the decisions that I will make, I might be right or wrong. Please make my faith in You unwavering. May I seek You in prayer to hear the answers You want me to hear. Even though it may be difficult and my choices may be wrong, let my heart and soul know You will never forsake me.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Short prayer for doubt and fear
God our Father, fount of wisdom and strength, I come to You seeking Your divine help. May Your grace surpass all my doubts and fears. I entrust all of them to Your hands. In times of doubt and anxiety, please assure me with Your guidance and love. Strengthen my faith in You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:21-22 NRSVUE
Prayer to Saint Thomas in times of doubt
Saint Thomas, companion and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, all who seek Jesus are inspired by your devotion to and belief in Jesus as Lord and God. As a missionary and an apostle, you laid down your life. You admonish us to declare the gospel and bear witness to our faith with boldness.
You were known to be the Doubter. You were so grieved about Jesus’ death that you needed to physically see and touch Him in order to accept that He had indeed risen. However, your love for Jesus was just as strong and motivated you to lay down your life for him.
In moments of uncertainties, doubts, and worries, I pray to you, o Saint Thomas. When I do not understand where God is directing me, I ask you to pray for me. May the Lord God forgive me for not believing in Him. Please help me learn from these instances of doubt and worry.
Beloved Saint Thomas, I worry that I will not succeed and that my wickedness will lead me to leave Christ. I worry that the Lord has forgotten about us. Lord, we worry that not even Christ’s death on the cross will be able to erase my sins. Pray for me that I may not be trapped by this illusion. I need your help and intercession. I do not want to be afraid or doubtful. I want to trust God even more. I want to be a person marked by faith in God even when I cannot see the path ahead.
Saint Thomas, we are always in doubt and fear. But just like you, we are still loved by God in spite of our mistrust and misgivings. God is patient, kind, and compassionate to us despite the fact that we are scared and apprehensive about the same things He has repeatedly supplied for us. May we always be reminded of God’s unceasing mercy and providence.
Saint Thomas the Apostle, faithful and trusting until the end, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
Faith is the remedy to doubt. Faith is listening to the voice of God speaking to us. When we have doubts, it might be because we have not listened attentively to the voice of God. Lack of faith results in having doubts about God’s will and what He can do with our lives.
How do we fight doubts and worries? How do we come to believe? We should ask God to give us faith every day since it is a gift from Him. We must turn to God and seek for more faith whenever we start to question. As we travel through life, our faith will be put to the test numerous times. In those moments of excruciating grief, trying disappointments, and tragic losses, we should pray to Him to grant us deeper faith and confidence in Him each day.
