Prayer to Know and Live Truth in This “Post Truth” World

We live in a world that many have called a “post truth” world.  I find that extremely saddening as well as pretty dangerous.   Facts seem only as important as they are convenient and useful to people.  It’s pretty evident that people are increasingly influenced by their emotions and beliefs over factual information. Fake news spreads rapidly over both social networks and network news controlled by owners with a particular point of view.  Fact and fiction are often hard to sort out.

I guess that’s why the little story we read in John 1 always intrigues and challenges me.  When Jesus’ disciples first met him they recognized that he was the Messiah they were waiting for and several of them went off to find another relative.  Phillip, for example, went to find his brother Nathaniel.  When Nathaniel approached Jesus, here was their exchange:

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

John 1:47-50

Jesus told us over and over again that when we knew the truth we would also know freedom.  To know truth in the way Jesus intended is to have the kind of relationship with truth that not only understands it in our heads but knows it through our actions and our experience.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  He gives us His Holy Spirit so we too can know and live truth.  On our own that’s simply not possible.  Let’s pray today to become, like Nathaniel, people in whom there is no deceit.

Heavenly Father, we long to be people of truth – people to whom you could say what you said to Nathaniel – that there was no deceit in us.  We recognize that we live in a society that tells itself that lying is necessary at various times.  But God, You say that we should be truthful and today we commit ourselves to line up with Your word rather than with society’s broken ways.

Forgive us Lord for times we've let a convenient lie rule the day rather than tell the truth.  Sometimes we've rationalized our lies by telling ourselves we were protecting others but lies never do that. Whether we were trying to hide from shame or avoid taking responsibility we agree with you that lying is always wrong. 

Help us Lord today to make a fresh start, to live free from the lies that keep us lying in our thoughts, speaking lies with our mouths, and implementing lies with our actions.  Amen