Day 7 Theme: Witness through Hope
and Trust
Text - Why are you frightened, and why do doubts
arise in your hearts?
(Luke 24:38)
Readings
Job 19:23-27 God whom I shall see on my side
Psalm 63 My soul thirsts
for You
Acts 3:1-10 What I have, I
give you
Luke 24: 36-40 The
disciples were startled and terrified
Commentary
During their journey in life and faith, all
Christians experience moments of doubt. When
Christians cannot recognise
the presence of the risen Christ, being together sometimes makes
their doubts even heavier, rather than
lighter.
The challenge faced by Christians is to continue to
believe that even when they do not see or feel
God, God remains with them. The virtues of faith,
hope and trust allow them to give witness that
their faith goes beyond their own
possibilities.
The character Job gives us an example of someone who
faced difficult trials and tribulations and
even argued with God. In faith and
hope however, he believed that God would remain on his
side. This reliance and conviction is
also shown by the actions of Peter and John in the account
with the lame man as told in Acts.
Their belief in the Name of Jesus allows them to witness
powerfully to all who were present.
Today’s psalm is a prayer reflecting our deep desire
for God’s steadfast love.
Our meeting during this Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity allows our communities to grow in
shared faith, hope and love. We bear
witness to God’s steadfast love to all people, and God’s
faithfulness to the one church we are called
to be.
The more we witness together, the stronger our
message will be.
Prayer
God of hope, share Your
vision of the one church with us, and overcome our doubts. Increase our
faith in your presence, that all who
profess belief in you may worship together in spirit and in
truth. We especially pray for all who
are in doubt right now, or whose lives are spent in the
shadow of danger and fear. Be with them
and give them your consoling presence.
Reflection questions
1. How do you deal with your own fears and doubts?
2. How might you be a cause of fear and anxiety for
others by your behaviour?
3. When have you faced up to your own fears and
doubts and so given witness to your faith
in Christ by overcoming these
difficulties?
4. How may Christian communities encourage one another in faith and hope?