In the midst of his pain, fear, and doubt, Job confesses his confidence that his Redeemer lives. He confesses the mighty sovereign love and protection of God who will not abandon his people under any circumstances.
Our modern evangelicalism has a tendency to downplay confessions, creeds, prayers written by old dead people. We are told we need to pray ourselves out of a heart of trust and obedience to the Lord. We, as Christians, find the resources to pray with confidence. And our prayers are always to be new and fresh. Yet over the years I have spoken with many people, coming to me for what they hope will be wise counsel. The recurring theme seems to be that of frustration. "Do you pray?" "I try but I don't seem to know what to pray for." "I just don't feel like praying." "What do you pray?" "I can't figure out what to pray for. I get discouraged, worry about my problems, and quit."
Job had no idea what to pray for either. He didn't feel like praying. He had no resources of his own. But he knew what he had been taught, what he himself had taught his children. He knew that there is a Redeemer and that he could cast his problems at the feet of that Redeemer. So what do we pray when we are under pressure? If you have no other ideas, if you need the words to pray, let me just suggest the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. In that brief confession and prayer we affirm what we believe about life and salvation in very brief terms. We pray briefly for every need we have. We proclaim God's glorious provision for us. Even in the depths of our discouragement, here are some words we will do well to confess and pray. And who knows? Maybe we'll pay attention to the confession and realize how great the Lord is, that he is greater than all our circumstances and trials.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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