WHY HAS GOD NOT ANSWERED YOUR PRAYER? (PART 6)
"When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything." (James 1:6-8, GW)
Welcome to Part 6 in the series. In these series, our focus has been on why people pray and don't receive answers from God, particularly as Jesus affirmed in Matt 7:8 saying,
"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Nevertheless, experience has shown that a whole lot of times, we pray and don't receive answers from God. What's the reason for this? You may refer to the past parts in the series via https://wordfortoday.netlify.app/
for some reasons why this is so. Besides, we want to consider today yet another reason why people don't receive answers to their prayers.
One of the things I have discovered about God is that He doesn't want His acts towards us to be attributed to anyone else (Isa 48:3-5). The Lord delights in answering our prayers in such a way that leaves no doubt in our minds as to who did what. Towards this end, He expects us to come before Him decided, with our minds made up as to what we want Him to do for us! The reason for this is that God wants us to unequivocally and succinctly be able to know Him as the One that answered our prayer because we received what we prayed for. For instance, if when asking for a car in your prayers, you asked for a white colored Nissan 2023 model and in the end, you got exactly what you prayed for, that's not only evidence that God had answered you, but that God granted your request because you were specific and not double minded. God doesn't grant the prayers of double minded folks!
The Book of James tells us that "When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything." (James 1:6-8, GW).
I'm aware that there's the moment of worship when we simply adore God, not asking for anything from Him. That's a different moment. It's imperative that each time we come before God, that we come with our minds made up, Indecision is a big problem to many people. I've seen people who, after they prayed were asked what they prayed about, and they didn't remember a tittle. Worst still, I've also met with people who have at the same time prayed for two opposing things. "A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything." (James 1 8) That's the height of indecision! The Bible says such an one with doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7). Learn to make up your mind on issues before you. Chasing two rats at the same time can only bring disappointment.
Let's learn to be specific and to come before God with our minds made up as to our needs. Decide what you want from God and be definite about it!
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I ask and I receive because I ask, not doubting. Help me to be firm and resolute as I come to You in prayer, in Jesus name.