“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” ~ James 1:6
REFERENCE:
James puts forth the fundamental principle of asking from God. Although he was teaching on asking God for wisdom, the principle will work for anything you ask God for in prayers. He said asking must be done in faith and with no doubting, believing that God will give to you liberally and without faulting you or your request (that is, not giving reasons why you should be denied).
Doubting suggests wondering or debating if God will do what you have asked. The KJV uses ‘wavering’ for ‘doubting.’ It means moving from one position to another, hesitating, or being at variance with oneself. The person who is doubting is unsure of the outcome of his request. He believes now but later questions if it will happen. He finds it difficult to plunge entirely into faith, so he hesitates, ponders, wonders, questions, and overanalyzes his requests from God.
If you have asked God for anything in prayers, do not doubt, waver, or wonder:
a. Whether it is correct or not to ask for that thing. Be settled about it before asking.
b. About the power of God to do it. You should know that the God you are asking your request from made the heavens and the earth.
c. About God’s will over the things the bible tells us that God will do for His children who ask Him. E.g., healing, the salvation of loved ones, the forgiveness of sins, protection, etc.
d. About God’s love for you and His faithfulness to His promises. He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word/promise to (you) will not fail.”
Doubting eats away at your confidence in prayer. Satan is ever ready to throw examples before you to evoke anxiety, paint bad images in your mind, and suggest thoughts that will cause you to waver from the place of believing. If he can get you to start questioning your belief or to debate within yourself about God’s willingness and power, you will not get your answers.
When waiting on God for your answers, refuse to pray and, at the same time, ask questions that demolish your confidence. Instead, listen to testimonies and get scriptures that will give substance to your faith; do everything to help you receive your requests. God wants to answer you, but when you pray to Him or believe in Him for a miracle, do it with no doubting.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Psalm 89:34-35, Mark 11:22-24, Mark 13:31, and Hebrews 11:6
PRAYER:
+ Father, I break the pattern of doubting and hesitating concerning your promises that hover around my life.
+ I ask for an assurance of faith concerning the things that I seek You for, O Lord.
+ Lord, I believe Your word, trust Your character and rely on Your faithfulness. I know you will do what you said for me and perfect what concerns me.
