“Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”” (Gen.18:11). “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” (Heb.11:11).
Heavenly Father, I’ve always loved Sarah’s story, for I’ve laughed the laugh of unbelief many times myself. I understand her disbelief. How could her barren womb possibly bring forth Israel’s next patriarch? She doubted you, lied about her doubts, yet you loved her. And here she is, showing up in the “hall of fame of faith” in Hebrews 11. Your grace is stunning, limitless, and for us.
It’s always been about your great faithfulness, not our great faith. The only real hero in your story is Jesus, in whom all your promises find their “Yes!” (2 Cor. 1:20) And so we come to you today asking you to do things well beyond our power—looking to Jesus, not to ourselves.
Abba, we bring you with our children, spouses, and friends who (on the surface) seem indifferent, if not expressively antagonistic, about your reality. Things impossible for us are aren’t for you. You are the only explanation for our faith in Jesus; please do the same for and in them.
We pray for marriages that have settled into polite disconnect, or have become more like siblings than lovers, or are torn apart by suffering or success, or are now two angry grace-evaporated spouses taking turns blaming each other. God of resurrection, bring your kindness and power into this graveyard. Thaw this marital glacier.
We pray for ourselves, Father. Why do we assume our best years are behind us? Why have we let our regrets, failures, fear, unbelief, and shame shape our hearts more than your grace, love, and faithfulness? Renew, refresh, restore us to first love for Jesus, fresh love for you, Abba, and fresh surrender to the Spirit. So Very Amen.
