The Corinthian church, which Paul had founded, questioned Paul's qualifications for ministry (see 2 Cor 2:16, 3:6). Yet Paul had "great" (2 Cor 3:4), "full" (2 Cor 3:12; 5:8), and continuous confidence (see 2 Cor 5:6). He did not maintain he had confidence in his own abilities, but "in God" (2 Cor 3:4). He received this confidence "through Christ" (2 Cor 3:4).
"In Christ and through faith in Him we can speak freely to God, drawing near Him with confidence" (Eph 3:12). Paul's confidence in God through Christ was so complete that he endured labors, imprisonments, beatings, "frequent brushes with death," and other unmentioned sufferings (2 Cor 11:23ff). Paul had such confidence that he even gave up his life for Jesus and was martyred.
Like all fathers, our heavenly Father wants His children to have confidence in His love and be secure, knowing we can trust Him. Confidence not only benefits us personally, but also pleases our Father. Therefore, we should pray for great confidence. This prayer will be answered by a deeper relationship with Jesus and a greater openness to the confirming power of the Holy Spirit.
| PRAYER: | Father, give me such great confidence in You, that everyone I meet will be challenged to trust You more deeply. |
| PROMISE: | "Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true." –Mt 5:18 |
| PRAISE: | Like a child, Sondra takes all her fears, anxieties, disappointments, and failures to her heavenly Father. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College