Limitless Possibilities

BELIEF 

James 1:6-8 – “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Reflections: When you pray, do you pray with conviction and faith, or do you allow doubt and fear to make you waver in your belief? I can admit that I’ve been guilty of the latter on occasion…of being afraid to believe that my prayers will be answered…afraid to hope. But in countless passages throughout the Bible, the Word tells us that if we seek God’s will, trusting Him and committing our way to Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4-5; Matthew 7:7). But the Word also tells us that we must pray in faith, believing and not doubting (James 1:6-8).

So, here we see two very important caveats to God’s response to our prayers. First, we must seek God and desire His will above all things (Luke 22:42); and second, when we pray, we must believe and not doubt. James tells us that those who doubt should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. That’s enough to give anyone pause!

Faith is not always easy, and when we’re in the midst of a trying situation, praying for God’s intervention, it’s not hard to fall victim to doubt and fear. We wonder if God hears us, if He will ever answer our pleas; but the Word assures us that if we ask anything according to His will, HE HEARS US, and we can rest assured that He will grant us the petitions we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).

The Word also tells that when we pray, we begin to effect change almost immediately (James 5:16). One of my favorite stories (Daniel 10:12-14) tells of Daniel as he fasted and prayed for three weeks, seeking the Lord. After that time, an angel appeared to him, saying, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” This verse gives me great comfort in those moments when I don’t see an immediate response to my prayers, because I can find peace in knowing that even if I can’t see it, even if there is a delay, God WILL respond in time.

There is such power in our prayers, if only we would believe and stand firm with an unwavering faith. This faith sets the stage for God to do an amazing work in our lives, and in the lives of those around us. The possibilities are limitless, if we could just understand that we serve a limitless God who wants only the best for us, His children. 🙂

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!