What is the biblical basis for it being acceptable to bring doubts to God?

Upvote:2

The very act of bringing a sincere doubt to God in prayer could be seen as an act of faith. Think of the opposite, having a doubt, and not bringing it the Lord in prayer because you "doubt" that he cares, "doubt" that he can hear you, or "doubt" him in General.

Do you see the element of faith overcoming when you bring your doubts to God in prayer?

The other Answers have some good scriptures. I especially like mark 9:24, posted by [Wikis]

'Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”'

To finally answer your question

What is the biblical basis for the idea that it's okay to bring any doubts to God in prayer?

Here is some biblical basis, 1 Peter 5:7

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I think doubts which are troubling you can certainly be considered "Cares". Peter admonishes us to give them to the Lord. How can we do this? Paul says in Philippians 4:6

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Putting these all together, i think we begin to see a biblical basis for bringing our doubts to the Lord in faith.

--- Edit--- On a personal note, i would recommend taking your doubts right to the scripture, as well. you might be surprised how many of our "doubts" are dealt with directly in the Word, a great coupling with prayer. Talk to God (Prayer), and hear from God (reading the word)

Upvote:3

Most of the Psalms are examples of this!

The Psalms express deep doubts about God – "where are you?", "Why are you letting your faithful people be oppressed?", "Why am I in such pain?", etc. You can find the full range of human emotion in the Psalms, expressed directly and honestly to God. If David can do it, we can do it.

Upvote:4

God's grace is such that you can just be honest. Consider Mark 9:24, one of my favourite NT verses:

'Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”'

Doubt mixed with faith is natural. Jesus' response is not recorded – so apparently He was neither surprised nor condemning.

Upvote:5

Yes, this is acceptable. It is not only in prayers and not only in the Old Testament but in the New Testament too.

It is important to see that Jesus himself endorses a critical stance.

Thomas the Apostle speaks (John, 20, 25):

"I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.

Jesus endorses this attitude and bothers to get back to Thomas to give him proof (John, 20, 27):

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!

And finally (John, 20, 29):

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me.

So the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus wants us to not just be gullible but to demand proof. Neither of the Apostles was prepared to believe without a proof and Jesus respected that and had this very story been incorporated into the Bible for us.

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