The Skeptic's Prayer

Deep in our hearts and at our most honest moments, we all confront the fact that the existence of God is at least possible... and maybe even likely and probable.

Still, the ability to conjure up faith in God (however God is conceived of) escapes many of us.

To those who have this faith, it is a gift. They can't explain it, or locate its source tangibly and empirically.

They consider it a gift because it is an unexplainable resource that gives them hope and strength to live their life. They wouldn't be without it, yet they can't explain it AND they can't convey to those without it how powerful a force - and real a force - it is.

For some, this faith is just a tiny spark, barely noticeable. For others, a raging bonfire.

Those without this kind of faith don't understand it, and don't feel the need for it, yet even they will admit it appears real to those who do have it. And probably (deep down in their hearts) they would like there to be a God who cares about and loves them, and who will walk with them through "the valley of the shadow of death".

Then of course, there are those without faith who could care less. They are perfectly content, and ultimately have no fear or concern about the end of life; after all, why fear "sweet nothingness"? Makes sense!

But what does the honest skeptic do? After all, he's stuck. The honest skeptic is stuck in limbo between belief and unbelief. The result? The honest skeptic typically abdicates choosing between the two because there is no proof. He wants to know Truth, but lacks proof.

No proof = no commitment either way.

But there's a truth that must be confronted. They never will have proof (empirical, worldly, scientific).

If they are honest with themselves, they'll acknowledge that.

They will also acknowledge that "not doing" something is a form of inactive "doing". They have chosen to not decide, and this - when it comes right down to it - is the choice of unbelief.

But what if there are eternal consequences to our choice of belief or unbelief?

And what if our choice of unbelief (whether through omission or commission) is honored by the God who gave us the choice in the first place?

We don't want Him, so he doesn't impose Himself. He is all-powerful and perfect. He perfectly respects our freedom to not choose Him.

But what if He is the "fuel" we were made to run on. What if nothing else really works to make our engine hum? Oh sure...we might limp along, sputtering and stalling throughout eternity, but what if we could have been a Formula One racer?

What if we missed out on being an eternal Jean Luc Picard, exploring God's infinite creation, doing God's infinite work, fueled by His infinite love and inexpressible joy?

This is what the God of the Bible offers us. It's an offer. He is humble so He doesn't force us to accept.

But what if you want to accept and you just can't? The gift of faith is simply eluding you?

You have to pray. You ASK God for the gift. "Asking" is powerful! (Test: Go ask your neighbor for help with something. I bet they do it!)

Here's a Skeptic's Prayer you can use. It's by the philosopher Peter Kreeft:

God, I don't know whether you even exist. I'm a skeptic. I doubt. I think you may be only a myth. But I'm not certain (at least when I'm completely honest with myself.) So if you do exist, and if you really did promise to reward all seekers, you must be hearing me now. So I hereby declare myself a seeker, a seeker of the truth, whatever and wherever it is. I want to know the truth and live the truth. If you are the truth, please help me.

Seek God with an open and earnest heart and you will find Him. Or He will find you.

He promises that.