clairescottauthor – Claire's Prayer

The Doxology

March 16, 2026 Claire's Prayer

Back when I was a little girl living in Zimbabwe, we would walk down the road to our little church. It was an interesting combination of Anglicans and Methodists; funnily enough, it really worked, and the two denominations worked well together. I didn’t appreciate the traditions at the time, but now I find the creeds, hymns, and doxologies comforting, like a warm blanket on a chilly day. One of my favorite memories is standing next to my Dad as we sang hymns together, listening to his glorious baritone harmonizing with mine!

Doxology is an interesting word, especially to geeks like me! I hope you’re a little that way too. It comes from the Greek and means ‘doxa’ or ‘glory,’ and ‘logia’ from ‘logos or word, and speaking.’ Speaking glory! It was a way to glorify the Trinity in our little African church, my most favorite being, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.” I know some of you are humming that in your heads already!

In verse three of our text, we see Paul giving glory to the Trinity. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” He blesses our Father, who is the origin of all those blessings, includes our Savior, who through His work on the cross is able to bless us, and finishes off with the work that only the Holy Spirit can do, as it is the Holy Spirit that applies the work to our hearts. It is almost as though Paul couldn’t help himself, knowing the incredible wonder of the Trinity, and so he speaks this doxology, ‘speaking glory’ to the Father! Putting the Great I Am in His proper place and giving an appropriate opinion of the One who spoke the world into being. Should we not do likewise?

It really is quite something to recognise that Paul, likely under house arrest and chained to a prison guard. Reliant on friends to bring him food, unable to go outside and breathe in the beautiful fresh air, he still begins with worship! He still begins by speaking glory to our Father. Remarkable! It really doesn’t take a whole lot to derail my day, and so often I forget to bring glory to my LORD. I need this reminder to glorify my God in every situation.

Sometimes we need to remember what God has done for us, what Jesus accomplished by giving His life so that we can live for eternity. To look back and reminisce on the times when the LORD came through, those ‘But God’ moments. Then, as faith begins to arise in our spirits, we can speak glory to the Father. Today I plan to sing the doxology, will you join me and sing it too?!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Reflections

Paul begins with ‘speaking glory’ and worship even when his life is turned upside down, and he is imprisoned. What circumstances often derail your focus on worshipping the LORD, and how might it look like for you to “begin with doxology” in the hard moments?
The devotional features doxology as “speaking glory” to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How does understanding the way the Trinity works impact the way you worship God?
The author reminisces on times of worship and reminds us to remember “But God” moments. Was there a time when remembering what God has done for you stirred your faith and brought gratitude to your heart?

Step-By-Step

Pause today and speak or sing a doxology, remember it doesn’t have to sound perfect. The LORD loves a joyful noise! Write down and remember three specific “But God” moments in your life where your Father has shown you His faithfulness. Let your remembering turn into thankfulness, your thankfulness into worship, and renewed faith.

Doubting Thomas

March 12, 2026 Claire's Prayer

Do you remember Doubting Thomas? Thomas, who, when the disciples said that they had seen Jesus, retorted adamantly, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25. Thomas wanted to see first and then believe. So often, I find myself like Thomas – doubts will raise their ugly heads and play like a crazy merry-go-round in my head. Does God really still heal today? Does He really care about me? Or perhaps, am I really saved?

Of course, as He always does, Jesus showed up to Thomas and invited him to put his hands into the scars, telling him to stop doubting and believe! Thomas exclaimed, “My LORD and my God!” I love Jesus’ gentle response, which is what I often need to hear: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29. We are blessed because we believe in the Son, we believe He was sent to save us, and yet have not seen him. That’s faith!

In our text, we see Paul referring to “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” The word for faithful is the same one Jesus used when talking to Thomas – ‘believed.’ Paul is talking to the Saints, you and me, because we are Believers! We believe! We have faith! We have a Savior we can have faith in, one who is constant and never fails. This is a faith we can be loyal to and defend. We can join the vast throng of ‘the faithful’ simply because we believe. And as we believe, as we trust, God will shape us and make us faithful, with a rock-solid knowledge that the LORD is everything He says He is.

Do you know what I love about the story of Thomas? God showed up! Even though Thomas was full of doubt, so many questions, God showed up. He always does. And Thomas? He went on to become the most zealous of missionaries, preaching Jesus to the East, perhaps as far as India and becoming a martyr by the end of a spear. So certain was he that Jesus was his LORD and God that he was prepared to die for his faith. In the end, he was not Doubting Thomas but Faithful Thomas. Faithful in Christ Jesus.

When doubt threatens to overtake you and questions swirl in your mind, let your Abba Father know. He hears you. He sees you. And He will show up for you. He will turn your doubt to faith, shaping and molding you to be one of the faithful in Christ Jesus!

Reflections

In what area of your life do you most relate to Thomas right now? When doubts tend to rise in your mind questioning God’s power, His loving care for you, or your own faith, how do you respond when they appear?
In what way can you bring your doubts honestly to Jesus instead of hiding them or fighting them alone?
In what ways can you live as one of “the faithful in Christ Jesus,” trusting God even when you cannot see?

Step-By-Step

Today, when those frustrating doubts surface, take a moment and pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, I make the choice to believe even before I see. Help my unbelief.” Write down a promise from Scripture and one way that your Abba Father has shown up for you in the past. Make this a remembrance that you can revisit whenever those doubts threaten to surface again.