April 15, 2020

From Doubt To Faith

April 15, 2020

DAILY READING

Mark 4:37-41

FIELD NOTES

This week, we’re going to dive deeply into the beloved Prayer of St. Francis. The prayer invites us to look at the dark places in the world and in our own lives, while considering how we might be agents of God’s peace and healing. With all that is pressing in on us now, we hope that you use this time to find peace for your soul and become an instrument of God’s peace in the world. 

Doubt and Faith. It’s kind of an unfair polarity. Many suggest that doubt is the absence of faith. I prefer Paul Tillich’s position: “Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith.” What if we think about this as distrust to trust? What would change about our experiences right now and our anxiety if we could place the fullness of our trust in God? I have a friend who said the other day about all that we are facing: “All will not be fine. But all will be well.” That statement is a profound proclamation of faith – of trust. All may not be fine now and all may not be fine tomorrow. But in the hands of God and in the light of eternity, all will, in fact, be well.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

  • What has doubt looked like for you in the last several weeks? What about distrust?
  • What does it mean to you that “All will not be fine. But all will be well”?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

  • How can your family practice trust and faith in the world today? For a neighbor? A family member? A friend? A stranger?

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord, where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Do not allow doubt or distrust to rule my heart and my mind. Give me a faith and trust that holds me completely by your embrace. Give me faith and belief in your loving presence that unites me with all your children and all our creation. Amen.