“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 any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”. – James 1:5-8
LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer has a responsibility beyond knowing how to pray to know how to receive.
Pay close attention to James 5:14-15 “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him”. The word “faith” in the term “prayer of faith” requires our attention. Recall that in Acts 8:12-16, those who believed upon receiving the laying on of hands received from or took advantage of what God has deposited in them; the result was that they spoke in tongues. Note verse 18; Acts 8:18-19 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost”.
What did Simon see? Acts 8:20-21 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God”. The word “matter” was translated from a word that implies utterance or speaking. Hence, what he saw were actions (speaking) by those that the Apostles laid hands on. The receiving refers to a definite action from the recipient, which is speaking. James 1:7-8 “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 above was not referring to feelings but rather definite actions taken by the recipient. Receiving is part of prayers, and then it implies that receiving in prayer is different from having the request that was prayed for. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Beyond knowing how to ask in prayers, know also how to receive in prayers.
CONFESSION: When I pray, I receive in the prayer. I do not walk in unbelief; I am a believer. I have the gift of faith; hence, I pray and I receive in prayer, in Jesus’ Name, Amen
QUOTE: Receiving in prayers is the believer’s responsibility and not God.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: LUKE CHAPTER 17; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 5
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 