Wednesday September 8, 2021

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all simply and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask it in faith without doubting, for he who doubts resembles the waves of the sea which the wind raises and shakes on all sides. James 1.5, 6

On the Epistle of James (2) The believer who doubts

The believer has an extraordinary resource that he can use at any time and in any circumstance : prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. It is important to pray with faith, and with the confidence that God can and will answer our prayers. Recognize that often we make requests while doubting, perhaps unconsciously, God's answer.

In the days of the apostles, Peter was a prisoner of the cruel King Herod, with perhaps the prospect of being beheaded as John the Baptist had been a few years earlier. So the Christians of that city had gathered in a house and prayed together for Peter (see Acts 12). God answered their prayers : Peter was miraculously freed by an angel while in chains, guarded by several soldiers behind an iron gate. He walked over to the house where he knew Christians used to meet. He knocks on the door, a servant comes to inquire about this unexpected visitor. She recognizes Peter's voice and, filled with joy, she forgets to open the door and rushes to share this good news with the gathered believers. What do they answer him ? "You are crazy !" When they finally open the door and see Peter, they realize the greatness and power of God. They had been right to come together to pray to God, but they lacked faith in him. We are often like those early Church believers. This account encourages us to always pray in faith, without doubting.

Source (The Good Seed)