Author: Jayne Lawson

“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.” 1 Kings 22:5

“Look before you leap!” is a proverb credited to John Heywood (1546). It means that a person should carefully consider something before proceeding headlong into it. With a slight tweaking of the words, it would mesh perfectly with today’s verse:

“Pray before you act!”

Regrettably, I am in the habit of acting before praying. It is something I am working on correcting, but I find myself often understanding another proverb all too well: “Hindsight is always 20/20” meaning when I look back, I see everything clearly, including my mistakes!

Prayer should never be one’s last resort. When it is, we often suffer consequences that could have been avoided had we first gone to the Lord in prayer. My impulsiveness stems from a desire to be in control, and that is never the best option. It is critical for all of us to seek counsel from God first before we make decisions that are sometimes irreversible. Why? There are several reasons why this is important.

1. God’s wisdom is immeasurable. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33
2. God is never wrong. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30
3. God knows what is best for me. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
4. God can do anything. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37
5. God wants to answer our prayers “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

God should always be the first One we go to for everything in our lives. No matter is too small for Him to care about. After all, He knows when one sparrow falls from the sky, and His Word says that we are much more valuable to Him than that little bird (Matthew 10:29-31).

When God’s people pray, He moves. When God’s people trust, He acts. Make prayer your first recourse in all things, and God will provide wisdom, direction, and peace.

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

(from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Scriven)

“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.” James 1:5

**********

God’s waiting to hear from you. Why not take a moment and pray to Him right now?

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

Have you ever thought about what a blessing it is to be able to read the Word of God? Think about it for just a moment. We are reading the actual words of the Creator of all things! The One who we identify as GOD! The words in the Bible are more of a blessing than I sometimes realize, and when I do actually stop to think that the words of the Almighty God are in my hand, it is overwhelming! When I read verses like John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” and Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee,” I understand that God wants a relationship with me, and that is an amazing blessing!!

Revelation 1:3 speaks to the last book of the New Testament and the prophecies within it. We are told that the time is “at hand.” This means that the things in this prophetic book of the Bible will happen soon. John penned these words as he was inspired by God’s Holy Spirit more than 2,000 years ago. He said the “time was at hand” then. Just think how much closer we are to that time today!

Bible scholars say that there is nothing written in the Scriptures that need to be completed before the Rapture of the Church. Current conditions in the world also indicate that post-Rapture events are on the horizon, which speaks to how close we are to the moment when those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour will be caught up to meet Him in the air and taken to heaven. Soon our faith will become sight!

We are told to keep the Word of God in our hearts and act upon its instruction. It’s clear that our days to share Christ are coming to an end. We must “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16), that is take every opportunity to share the gospel because we are Jesus’ chosen ambassadors appointed to do His work in this sin-cursed world (2 Corinthians 5:20). Before we know it, “…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Oh, what a glorious moment that will be!

The Biblical clock is ticking, and very soon our work on earth will be finished. The only thing that is holding God back is His tremendous love for us. He wants everyone to have the opportunity to accept His Son, Jesus, as their Saviour. 2 Peter 3:9 states “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” But soon, that last soul will be won to Christ, and at that moment, the time will be “at hand.”

It doesn’t seem like it will be too long before I take my heavenly flight. I hope you’ll be with me!

Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

(from “I’ll Fly Away” by Albert Brumley)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52

**********

If you haven’t trusted Christ as your Saviour and you would like to know about how to do so, please let me know. I’d be happy to share with you from God’s Word how you can be saved and on your way to heaven!

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Most people will agree that our country is in serious trouble. The disunity in our government is frightening, and it threatens to destroy all that our nation has stood for in the last two and a half centuries. The very things that the Bible tells us are sacred and precious to God have been mocked and rejected by so many.

Is it possible to turn the tide? Can America ever become the godly nation that it once was?

I believe it can be, but it won’t happen on its own. God’s people need to intervene. It is critical that we exercise our responsibility to vote and support godly representatives and laws, but if we don’t engage our spiritual responsibility to pray, our voices may never be heard in the halls of state assemblies and the Congress of the United States.

Have you ever really thought about how powerful prayer is? I have to admit that I’ve essentially taken prayer for granted. I have always prayed, but it was more of an expectation than the realization that I was actually tapping into the power of God. I know that God is the Creator of all things. He is the Sustainer of all things. He’s God, no doubt about that, but lately, the Holy Spirit has brought to my attention the unfathomable power that God has made available to His children through the simple act of calling upon His name!

In the Bible, there are many accounts where God’s people prayed, and He worked in amazing and miraculous ways. One account is in the book of 1 Kings. In chapter 17, Elijah prayed to the Lord in regards to the death of the widow’s son, and God brought the boy back to life. Another example is in the first chapter of 1 Samuel where Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son, and God gave her a child. The last example is in Acts 12 where Peter is freed from prison after the church prayed for him. There are so many more examples of the power of prayer in the Bible.

When I really focus upon the immense power of God and the accessibility I have to that power through prayer, I am amazed that I don’t pray continually! I understand that God is not a magical genie who grants wishes indiscriminately, but He is the only One who has the capability of responding to any prayer in any time in any place for those who cry out to Him.

Keeping that in mind, I believe that the prayers of God’s people can bring about revival in our land. Dr. A.T. Pierson, a Baptist minister (1837-1911) said, “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.”

America has seen two “Great Awakenings” in regards to religious revival. After the American Revolution, America had fallen into spiritual decay, and John Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, stated that the Church “was too far gone ever to be redeemed.” Through urgent pleas to pray for revival, men like Jonathan Edwards prayed for revival in 1747. This led to the first “Great Awakening” in America. In 1794, another Baptist pastor, Isaac Backus, urged pastors of every denomination to pray for revival in America, and the second “Great Awakening” was born leading to modern-day missionaries and Sunday schools. What’s to stop the prayers of 21^st century believers from ushering in a third “Great Awakening” for America?

As the only offensive weapon we have in our spiritual arsenal, our prayers are powerful and effective. James 5:16 tells us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” If we really want to make America great again, we must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) that the people of the United States will humble themselves, seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then, and only then, will God Himself heal our land,

If we do not pray for our country, one thing is for certain. There will be no spiritual revival, and this nation will continue down its current path.

Lord You see Your tired servants, and the broken wounded soldiers
Oh how much we need Your precious healing hand
We need the power of the cross as the only source for us
When we stand up facing final battle cry, restore your church again.

Touch Your people once again with Your precious holy hand, we pray
Let Your kingdom shine upon this earth through a living glorious church
Not for temporary deeds, but to restore authority and power
Let a mighty rushing wind blow in, touch your people once again.

(from “Touch Your People Once Again” by Steve Green)

“Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:3

**********

Spend some time today praying for God to bless America once again.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Last week, I watched news footage of Hurricane Dorian as it moved through the Bahamas and up the eastern coast of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The damage in the Bahamas was devastating, and the first pictures I saw showed that most of the area had been leveled by the storm. Although some structures survived, in many places, the only things left standing were palm trees.

How do palm trees withstand hurricane force winds? Palm trees are well grounded. They grow roots that are very thin and spread out horizontally from the tree base, extending long distances for maximum stabilization. These roots not only anchor the tree, but they absorb nutrients from the soil for growth.

Our faith needs to be well grounded like the palm tree, or we may be tossed aside when adverse conditions arise in our lives. The foundation of our faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Once we’ve accepted Him as our Saviour and made Him Lord of our life, there is nothing in this world that can topple us (1 John 4:4). We then can root ourselves in the Word of God and receive all the nutrients we need to keep our faith alive.

How do we stand strong in our faith? Chapter 6 in Ephesians gives us step-by-step instructions on how to stand strong in our faith by wearing some very special “articles of clothing.”

First, we must have our loins girt about with the truth (v 14). Jesus said “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). We must remember to study the Word of God and hide its words in our hearts. Take time today to memorize a Bible verse!

Second, we must wear the breastplate of righteousness (v 14). Isaiah 61:10 states “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” It is the righteousness of God in which we must clothe ourselves, and we acquire that righteousness through a relationship with His Son, Jesus. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus today!

Third, we must have our feet shod with the gospel of peace (v 15). Our feet take us everywhere. As we travel, we must take with us the gospel and share it with others. In Mark 16:15, Jesus gave us a job to do. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We are “on the job” 24/7 until He calls us home. Share Jesus with someone today!

Fourth, we must hold high our shield of faith for with it we will be able to repel the attacks of Satan (v 16). It is our faith that sustains through the storms of life. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7. Although the battles we are in belong to the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:15), we should never let our own guard down. We are Christian warriors, fighting a battle for the souls of men!

Next, we must have the helmet of salvation (v 17), which assures us of our standing with God once we have been forgiven of our sins. When we have accepted Christ as our Saviour, we are adopted into God’s family, and as children of the Lord, we know that our future is secure in Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16). The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the lies of the world that would have us believe otherwise. “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation” (Psalm 13:5). “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7. If you haven’t trusted Christ as your Saviour, make today the day of your salvation!

We must also be equipped with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v 17). It is the Scriptures themselves that empowers us to fight the battle that rages around us, which, we are reminded in Ephesians 6:12, is not a battle against flesh and blood. In order to be prepared, we must “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Set aside a time to spend in personal Bible devotion time!

Lastly, we must pray (v 18). God commands us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and we have the assurance from Jesus that He will answer when He said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” John 14:13. It is through prayer that we touch the heart of God. Take time to pray today!

After all this, you will be like the palm tree, deeply rooted and secure, ready to face whatever lies ahead. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

(from “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” by George Duffield, Jr.)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

**********

When was the last time you took a stand for Christ?

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

Sheep are interesting creatures. From birth, lambs learn to follow the other members of their flock, even if it is dangerous. The “following” instinct of sheep is so strong that if led down a path that could be fatal to them, they will follow to their death. The responsibility of a shepherd is to lead his flock safely to “green pastures and still waters” (Psalm 23:2).

If we allow God to be in our lives, He promises to lead us in our daily walk. As it says in Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way.” The key to the fulfillment of this verse is following God as He leads.

It really boggles my mind to think that our Shepherd is an almighty God who does not force Himself on us when He easily could. Instead, He waits for an invitation from us to become the Shepherd of our lives. Then, and only then, will He show us and lead us in the paths of His righteousness. We then have a choice as to whether or not we will follow His path or go astray.

Psalm 16:11 also tells us that at God’s right hand are “pleasures for evermore.” What are those pleasures? Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” The pleasures are the desires of the heart that become known when we delight in the Lord. But the verse also mentions the “right hand of God.” What does that mean? According to Romans 8:34, Jesus, the Son of God, is at the right hand of God Himself. Jesus is the source of our joy (1 Peter 1:8)! A relationship with Jesus gives meaning to our lives. It is He who brings joy even in the midst of difficult times. The latter part of Psalm 30:5 states “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” No matter what we face, our lives are more blessed when we belong to Christ.

I have never met one person who ever regretted accepting Jesus’ forgiveness of sins and having Him as their Saviour. Why? Because it is only through Christ that we can have joy in the midst of sorrow; it is the only way we can have peace in a world of turmoil, and it is the only way we can have the promise of eternity at God’s side in His heaven.

Many years ago, when I asked Jesus to become my Saviour, my sins were forgiven, and I became a lamb in His flock. I chose Jesus as my “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), but I did not always follow Him; sometimes I wandered from the safety of His “path of life.” The “fullness of His joy” was then hard to find, but He  always sought me out and brought me back to the safety of His fold (Luke 15). His Word continually reassures me that I am His, and He is mine… forever!

One day long ago, I chose to be a sheep and follow Jesus. One day in the future, I will be in the presence of my Shepherd, face-to-face, and I will bask in His pleasures for evermore!

Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

(from “Now I Belong to Jesus” by Norman J. Clayton)

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

**********

Life is full of choices. It takes wisdom to make the right ones. And wisdom… well, that’s found in the Word of God. Take time today to read the Bible, and make the best choice ever… Jesus!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I recently celebrated a birthday, and I am now well into my sixth decade of life. My life continues to be rich with blessings, and I am enjoying the freedom that retirement affords, however there has been a definite change in my life. I have more opportunities to sit back and smell the roses. I have more time to myself for the things I used to long for, like writing and traveling, and although I do tire more easily than in my younger years, I find I have more free time for those afternoon naps! Yes, things have definitely changed for me!

Sometimes I wonder if I have “finished my course.” After all, I am getting precariously close to the “threescore and ten” mentioned in Psalm 90:10. I am no longer in the active work force, and my children are grown with families of their own. Hmm… is my “season” and “purpose under heaven” finally fulfilled?

As I pondered the question of my purpose in this stage of my life, I realized something that really impacted my way of thinking. God isn’t finished with me yet! I am still in the race!! How do I know this? God’s Word says so! Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” God’s work continues in me until Jesus calls me home or comes to take me there. If my work on this earth was finished, God would take me to my heavenly home because there would be absolutely no reason for me to remain here. If I have nothing more to do to serve Him, it would truly be time for me to enter my eternal rest. Wow! That means that I still have a job to do! I am not in retirement from God’s work! God’s plan for my life has not yet reached its end because I’m still here!

Time for me to get busy and go see what He has for me to do today!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

**********

What have you done for the Lord lately?

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” Luke 5:5-6

In my previous post “I Go A-Fishing,” I wrote of how my granddaughter was unsuccessful in her quest to catch a fish. She fished until nightfall, then retired to the family’s villa. The next day, she was back on the beach, casting her line into the surf. Finally she was rewarded!

We are called to share the gospel with a lost and dying world, no matter how bleak the outlook for success. You never know the impact your words and life have upon people. May we never quit, but remain faithful to the task to which we are called. If we do our part, God will do His part. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” John 21:3

My daughter’s family is currently vacationing on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi. They are staying in a house near the ocean and have enjoyed the various activities that beach life affords. One of the fun things they have discovered is surf fishing. Bree, my youngest granddaughter was the first to catch a fish, and she was thrilled! Now, the fishing fever caught on! Everyone found their spot on the sand and cast their lines into the sea. Nearly everyone caught fish except my oldest granddaughter, Ryanna. She was unable to successfully reel in one fish. She did manage to hook “the one that got away,” but it slipped off the hook and escaped back into the surf. In spite of losing this fish, she did not give up. She continued fishing until nightfall, and although unsuccessful still, she planned to return the next day to continue her quest for fish. (I’m sure if her mother would have allowed it, she would have fished throughout the night trying to catch just one!)

This reminded me of our work for Christ. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus is talking to his potential followers, Peter and Andrew, and He tells them that instead of fishing in the Sea of Galilee for tilapia, they will be fishing for the souls of men if they choose to follow Him. The Bible records “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him” (Matthew 4:20).

Often we get “on fire” for Jesus when we first get saved or right after a revival, and we can’t wait to tell others about the Lord. Sadly, for many of us the enthusiasm of winning souls seems to wane after time. It’s so easy to jump on the bandwagon when everyone is experiencing success, as my family fishers did after that first catch. Seeing a wriggling fish on one’s hook is a great motivator to keep on going, but sometimes the fish are not biting. Sometimes it takes a long time to reap the reward of one fish… or one soul.

Do we have the drive to continue fishing when we don’t even get a nibble on our hook? When those with whom we share the gospel are resistant, do we pack up our tackle box and move on? We must have the spirit of the fisherman who doesn’t quit. We must continue to stand on the shore, casting our line into the surf again and again. We are called to share the gospel with those around us, and we must trust God to fill our nets with fish (Luke 5:6).

I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

(from “I Love to Tell the Story” by Arabella K. Hankey)

**********

We don’t have much time left before the trump of God will sound, and we will meet Jesus in the clouds. Why not cast your line today and do a little fishing for Christ?

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited has been Yosemite National Park in California. Majestic rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome are spectacular as they rise above the forest floor. The fragrance of evergreen trees is like a heavenly perfume that lingers in the valley. Often deer can be seen walking through the forests, stopping at the bubbly Merced River for a refreshing drink.

Another beautiful place I’ve been to is Zermatt, Switzerland. Towering above the alpine village is the Matterhorn, one of the most famous of the Swiss Alps. Its snow-covered peak shimmers in the morning light as the sun illuminates the summit with its golden rays. Framed by pine, larch, and birch trees, the picturesque view is breathtaking to behold.

There are other things that I find equally beautiful. The sweet coos of a newborn baby, a sunset over the ocean, twinkling Christmas lights, the wind rustling through the leaves of trees, hugs from my grandchildren, and so much more! I could go on and on listing things that simply delight me in sight and sound, but what I cannot do is imagine what God has for me when I get to heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:9 tells me that what God has for me in my future, I have never seen, I have never heard, nor have I even imagined in my heart! My heavenly future is so amazing that it hasn’t even been conceived in my mind or anyone else’s mind! That tells me that there is nothing here on earth that comes close to the wonderful things that God has for me in heaven!

I can imagine streets of gold, shimmering through the heavenly city. I can imagine a crystal sea, its gentle ripples glistening resplendently in the light of glory. I can imagine the tree of life, its fruit so full and plump inviting me to freely take from it, but in all my imaginings, I am told that I cannot come close to the reality of heaven’s glory.

Imagine that!

The angels so sweetly are singing,
Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

(from “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” by Mrs. A.S. Bridgewater)

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Psalm 73:25

**********

If you’re wondering whether or not you’ll be in heaven one day, send me a note. I’ll be happy to share with you how you can know for sure you’ll be there!

“O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” Psalm 30:2

Have you ever “missed the mark”? I have. It often happens when I think I’ve understood something, and I really haven’t got a clue as to what was the intent. When it comes to spiritual things, I often think I’ve “got it,” but later I realize, I didn’t get it at all. Leaning on my own understanding is not always reliable, and just recently I found out that it has led me down the wrong path for many years in a very critical area of my spiritual life.

The Bible says to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17), so I have always incorporated prayer into my Christian life. 1 Peter says we should be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” so I pray. I have prayed for many things, sometimes physical, sometimes spiritual. Sometimes for me personally and sometime for others, but many times the answers didn’t seem to come. I knew in my heart that God could answer my prayers, but I didn’t have the faith that God would answer them.

This made it increasingly hard for me to pray in faith, but I still went through the motions. It was easy to say the words, but I was a prayer warrior whose arsenal was empty and ineffective. My prayers were like spitting into the wind; they just came back to hit me in the face. Needless to say, I was like “a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James1:6), and I didn’t even know it! Oddly enough, I wasn’t angry about the seemingly lack of answers to my prayers; I just assumed that was how prayer was supposed to be. Sometimes my prayers were answered, and sometimes they weren’t. I became that double-minded man that James wrote about, unstable in all my ways (James 1:8), but I was still oblivious to my sad state.

Recently, when I was out of the country, I was able to watch a Sunday school class on my church’s livestream broadcast. The lesson was about stress, and Pastor Jackson spoke from the book of James. He referenced the first part of chapter one, and as he elaborated on it, I realized that I was that double-minded person tossed about by the wind! After this sank in, I listened more intently, and when the broadcast ended, I knew that I needed to change, but how? Read more