“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’” Acts 12:5, 12-14

Dear Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief. This is why I pray. This is why I call on you. I do believe that you are good and merciful. I do believe that you are powerful and mighty. I do believe that you have wisdom beyond knowing and knowledge as wide as the ocean. I do believe that you only have good in mind for me and for those whom I love. I do believe in you. That is why I pray. I do believe, help my unbelief. I pray with uncertainty, with a lack of conviction, with a lack of faith. Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you can. Sometimes it is a lack of faith that you want to. Help me to pray with absolute conviction that you can and want to do what is the very best. Help me to believe that you can and that you will when I call on you. At the same time, help me to believe that your will is always best. Lord, I do believe. Help me to pray with confidence, with openness, with trust, and with a faith that fully trusts you to do what you have promised. Amen.

Our Father does not determine his answer to our prayers because of the sincerity of our prayers. Our Father does not decide to answer our prayers because of how much we trust and believe in him while we pray. Our Father answers our prayers simply because of his mercy. Our Father answers our prayers because of his deep love for you. Our Father hears and answers us because of his Son, Jesus. This is why he hears. This is why he answers. And this is why we will keep on praying.