A Prayer Offered in Belief
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Jesus, I have understood the Truth of these words in my mind. I have believed and let down the moat of my heart. You have now set your throne on the citadel of my spirit, mind and will … over the carnal members of my mortal body.
Like the fortress of a great city that has been captured, breach the walls and command your unarmed truth and unconditional love with brutal might to destroy the lies, falsehoods and delusions of my natural disposition. Pillage every stronghold that hides or holds anything that is lawfully yours. Break down every door of pride. Burn to the ground every altar to false gods and idols. Love of money. Love of any recognition, acceptance and fame but yours. Hunt down every harlot and whore of temptation that whispers betrayal, that seduces me with the original lie … that I should be king. With that same love and truth now heal the kingdoms of my heart … the wounds and traumas of a life lived under dominion of the evil one. Let Your atoning blood flow down through the winding streets and alleys of my heart.
Open wide every window to let out the stench of my secret lusts and desires. To invite the fresh breeze of your Spirit to flow through the halls of my home. Jesus, you have set my captive heart free. Let the bells of victory ring across the land of my emancipated soul. The war has been won let me never be like the slave who has not heard the sound of victory and yet continues to toil for the slave master. My savior, my master, my liberator I believe in you and now give me more belief to conquer worlds unknown.
—Unknown
The Apostle’s Creed followed by an honest and heartfelt prayer declares, “Lord, I believe; please help my unbelief!” Saying the words, proclaiming our faith is an important step in the process, but embracing those words and embodying them in the way we live our lives is where the rubber meets the road, where faith is fully realized and matures. As you meditate on this confession and soul-searching prayer, may you truly discover your Savior, Master, and Liberator is who He says He is, and does what He’s promised to do. –DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics