James 5:13
My gut reaction to most questions is “no” because I am timid. At the same time, the answer I usually give is “yes” (also because I am timid.) Yet the Lord regularly reminds me that the best follow up to either of these responses is “but I’ll pray about it.”
James 5:13 encourages us: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
All throughout Scripture this point is repeated: pray about everything.
It seems we our “everything” is often only what’s outside of our control. It’s easy enough to pray for other people; we aren’t responsible for results. Praying in challenging circumstances and even praise in the good can come naturally.
Prayer over the stuff that we’re responsible for, like our “yes” and “no,” require a little something we’re uncomfortable with: intentional submission.
Yielding to the will of the Lord is difficult for our stubborn hearts. To submit when it does not seem we have to and especially when the answer is on the tip of our tongue is particularly tough.
The fruit of our own choices can be satisfactory for a time. His is always more sustainable and life-giving, though.
Submit even the answers your gut wants to give to Him in prayer and your yielding will yield more than you can fathom.
Michele Morin on June 10, 2016 at 10:50 am
These words reflect the mature balance and steadfast seeking after God that I’ve come to admire in you, Bethany. Thanks for sharing them here.
Bethany McIlrath on June 16, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Michele, that means so much to me. Thanks for coming over here to read and for so kindly encouraging me all the time!
Mike Aiello on June 15, 2016 at 3:38 pm
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (Jam. 4: 6-10)
The practice of prayer is the “refuge” spoken about in many places in the Psalms; while in prayer, the “pray-er” is present in place of absolute safety, even from attempted temptation from the enemy. So often, as we are a part of the world, we bring worldly requests to the Father. Even as this occurs, we are kept in His safe place. The “double-mindedness” of being in the world continues to linger upon each of us as we strive to be “not of this world, even as we are in the world” This safe place is in view during Jesus’ priestly prayer in John 17:
“15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them[b] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
Bethany McIlrath on June 26, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Absolutely! Our “double-mindedness” often has me assumes if its “in this world” I can handle it on my own, while that obviously “not of this world” is easier to surrender. For that me that usually translates to trusting and asking God in the big stuff and leaning on my own understanding in the little stuff. Fortunately, His correction is perfect, gentle, and clear! Thanks for sharing these verses and points, Mike : )