Thursday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 3 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with the risen Jesus. This week we pray through the encounter Jesus had with the disciples as they were hiding in fear, and with his unique interaction with Thomas. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

John 20:19-31

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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 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 disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

A Word of Encouragement

Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas,” but perhaps there is more to the story. He has recently seen very confusing events and has witnessed his friends betray, deny, and abandon Jesus. And now they are all hiding away in fear. Upon closer look, perhaps we can relate to Thomas more than we realize. This passage also shows us the kindness of Jesus. He did not cast Thomas off. He came back for him. He spoke directly to the very struggle Thomas had named. He invited him to move from unbelief to faith. Jesus does not leave us in doubt, but neither does He treat doubting people as disposable. He comes near with both truth and grace.

A Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus, I confess that there are times when I struggle to believe. There are moments when questions surface, when my heart hesitates, and when uncertainty seems to take the lead. At times I have allowed doubt, cynicism, or guardedness to gain too much ground in me. Forgive me for the ways I have resisted trusting You. Forgive me for the places where fear or disappointment have weakened my faith. Bring honesty to my heart and renew Your Spirit within me.

A Prayer of Petition

Jesus, meet me in the places where I struggle. Come near to my unanswered questions, my uncertainties, and my fragile faith. Do not leave me to myself there. Lead me from unbelief into trust. Strengthen what is weak. Clear away what is clouded. Help me not to harden in doubt, but to let You draw me closer. Teach me to say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

A Prayer of Promise

Lord, today I choose to place my trust in You. Even where I do not see everything clearly, I choose to believe that You are true. Even where I feel weak, I choose to come to You rather than pull away. I believe that You are patient. I believe that You are faithful and true. I believe that You are able to sustain faith in me. Hold me steady, Lord, and help me keep turning toward You.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, bring before Jesus any question, hesitation, or struggle you have been carrying. Be honest with Him, and ask Him to meet you there with patience, clarity, and deeper faith. It’s OK to ask for wisdom. It’s OK to ask for His Spirit. He loves these requests, and like a loving Father, he is faithful to help us grow.