“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”. – James 1:5-8
LIGHT FOR NOW: The prayer of faith can not be prayed with a wavering mind.
Every time the believer prays to the Father, he hears and gives. Giving is consistent with the father’s nature. James in context further lays credence to the nature of the Father in verse 17; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Hence, receiving after praying is dependent solely on the one asking, and not God. God gives every time we ask. However, James in admonishing the one asking says “let him ask in faith…” The focus is on the believer receiving, and not God giving. Hence, James’ emphasis is on the believer wavering in his mind about the character of God in giving. This mindset can hinder the believer from receiving what has been given to him by God in response to his prayer. James mentioned in chapter 5 that prayer makes power available; James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
Hence, in the place of prayer, power is made available to meet the need and change the circumstance. Observe the Amplified Bible as it renders James 5:16 this way; “Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]” (AMP). So, the prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available; and this power works like a stick of dynamite; it is dynamic in its working. Who is a righteous man (in James’ epistle)? “…if any of you lack wisdom…” (verse 5). “…to the twelve tribes…” (verse 1). He was addressing Jewish Christians primarily and, by implication, the church. Hence, the believer is the righteousness. So, prayer that proceeds from the believer makes tremendous power available. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Make power available in the place of prayer.
CONFESSION: I am righteous; therefore, in the place of prayer, I make power available that can change and rearrange things in Jesus’ Name, Amen
QUOTE: Prayer that proceeds from the believer exceeds in greatness.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 4; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 5
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 