James 1:6-8

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded mand, unstable in all his ways.”

My question is not whether God can answer my prayer. I know he can. But my question, ungodly as it is, is whether He wills to answer my prayer. Sometimes this keeps me from praying for healing or some other miracle. This is ‘‘stinkin’ thinkin’”. You see, this type of thinking causes my prayers to be about me and my performance instead of the focus being on God and His power. Sick thinking! That is why we call it “stinkin’ thinkin’”.

I do not doubt God’s ability but His will. I do not know His mind. His thoughts are not my thoughts or his ways my ways. He is so great that I cannot even begin to know His will in these types of matters. Or can I? God’s will is that I pray. Get it? Pray. And do it continually without a thought to the outcome trusting Him with the results. This is his command “…pray without ceasing,” 1Thess. 5:17, and do it with faith and without doubt. Just do it.

So, what is God prompting you to pray for today? Do you have hesitation because you feel weird or worry about being made fun of? God says to you and me to ask in faith, with no doubting, for the man who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Let us not be that wave.

“…that person…” being the one who doubts, v.6 is “…double minded…unstable”.

All of these are describing the person who lacks faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. 11:6. Faith is evidence of life. The gift of faith is just that, a gift. It is not something that can be worked up out of the flesh, the natural man. Faith is a work of the Spirit. We are spiritually dead in our sin. It takes an act of God to bring life to a dead person. It is a gift of life. A gift of faith. One in the same.

This double minded, unstable man is a lost dead man who needs the Spirit to bring life to his body and spirit. The phrase we often hear “our thoughts and prayers are with you” means nothing if not accompanied by faith. And faith – saving faith – is by grace a gift from God to all who believe.

So the question to ask ourselves is “Do I truly believe?” Is my double mindedness coming from being weak in my faith or is coming from no faith at all? Paul asks us to “Examine ourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” 2 Cor. 13:5

Prayer: Father, I confess to you my sin of doubting and prayerlessness. I do not want to be that person, Lord Jesus. Please help me go boldly where You want me to go and pray like You want me to pray, with faith and boldness and courage. I confess that I am the issue, not You. You are faithful when I am not. Help me in my weakness. Make me strong in You not fearing what man may think or do to me. 

Father help me not to doubt and look like a dead man. You have given me life. I know You exist and rule and love me. You did not spare Your own Son, Jesus, but gave Him up for me so that I could have life eternal with you, by faith. Praise you my God, my Father, my Lord! Amen