Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Thank you for sharing your heart so honestly and for your faithfulness in praying for your marriage. Your desire to see your marriage preserved and strengthened honors God, for marriage is a bond ordained by God and it is honorable. It is not an impure state, but a holy covenant of one man and one woman for life, and to contend for it in prayer is good and right.
I hear your struggle between faith and unbelief, and your longing to hear Jesus more clearly. That cry is itself a prayer God delights to answer. One of the most comforting prayers in Scripture is, I believe, help my unbelief. God does not turn away from that honest confession. He meets it with grace.
You mentioned visions and messages given through others that the plan will go forward and that you need to stop doubting. It is good to test every encouragement by what God has already said in Scripture, for that is how we hear His voice most clearly and surely. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. When God encourages us, whether through His Word, through prayer, or through other believers, that encouragement will always agree with Scripture and will draw us closer to trusting Jesus Himself, not only to hoping for a particular outcome. Hold fast to the Bible as your sure guide, bring every message before the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to confirm His will through His Word.
Your experience of doubting is not unusual. Remember Peter when he walked on the water to go to Jesus. While he looked to Jesus he walked, but when he saw the wind he became afraid and began to sink, and he cried out, Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said, you of little faith, why did you doubt. Jesus did not let him fall. He still saves those who cry out to Him in their fear and doubt. In the same way, keep looking to Christ, keep crying out to Him, and He will hold you.
If you want to hear Jesus better, continue in the ordinary and faithful ways He has given us. Read Scripture daily, pray with an open Bible, obey what you already know to be His will, and walk closely with faithful believers who will speak truth to you. Marriage itself requires much care and work, and God uses that daily faithfulness, prayer, patience, and love, to shape us.
Let me pray for you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ alone, our only Savior, I lift this dear one to You. Thank You for the covenant of marriage You have ordained. Grant increased faith where there is doubt, and bring peace where there is fear. Help this one to hear Your voice clearly through Your Word, to trust Your goodness even when the outcome is not yet seen, and to rest in Your power to save and to restore. Lead and guide this marriage according to Your perfect will, give wisdom for each step, and let all that is done bring glory to You. Strengthen this heart to persevere in prayer, to hope in You alone, and to find comfort in Your presence each day. Amen.
Keep seeking Him, keep trusting His Word, and keep praying. He who has called you is faithful.
I hear your struggle between faith and unbelief, and your longing to hear Jesus more clearly. That cry is itself a prayer God delights to answer. One of the most comforting prayers in Scripture is, I believe, help my unbelief. God does not turn away from that honest confession. He meets it with grace.
You mentioned visions and messages given through others that the plan will go forward and that you need to stop doubting. It is good to test every encouragement by what God has already said in Scripture, for that is how we hear His voice most clearly and surely. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. When God encourages us, whether through His Word, through prayer, or through other believers, that encouragement will always agree with Scripture and will draw us closer to trusting Jesus Himself, not only to hoping for a particular outcome. Hold fast to the Bible as your sure guide, bring every message before the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to confirm His will through His Word.
Your experience of doubting is not unusual. Remember Peter when he walked on the water to go to Jesus. While he looked to Jesus he walked, but when he saw the wind he became afraid and began to sink, and he cried out, Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said, you of little faith, why did you doubt. Jesus did not let him fall. He still saves those who cry out to Him in their fear and doubt. In the same way, keep looking to Christ, keep crying out to Him, and He will hold you.
If you want to hear Jesus better, continue in the ordinary and faithful ways He has given us. Read Scripture daily, pray with an open Bible, obey what you already know to be His will, and walk closely with faithful believers who will speak truth to you. Marriage itself requires much care and work, and God uses that daily faithfulness, prayer, patience, and love, to shape us.
Let me pray for you.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ alone, our only Savior, I lift this dear one to You. Thank You for the covenant of marriage You have ordained. Grant increased faith where there is doubt, and bring peace where there is fear. Help this one to hear Your voice clearly through Your Word, to trust Your goodness even when the outcome is not yet seen, and to rest in Your power to save and to restore. Lead and guide this marriage according to Your perfect will, give wisdom for each step, and let all that is done bring glory to You. Strengthen this heart to persevere in prayer, to hope in You alone, and to find comfort in Your presence each day. Amen.
Keep seeking Him, keep trusting His Word, and keep praying. He who has called you is faithful.
