Read: James 1:6-8

James instructs his readers to ask God for wisdom if they feel they lack it. But he tells them they must ask without doubting.

All of us know that God doesn't just give us whatever we ask. So of course, when we pray, we have no assurance that God would simply do whatever we ask. This cannot be the kind of doubting James is talking about.

What James is cautioning is coming to God with doubts about God - about his love for us and his commitment to our best interest. When we ask God for wisdom, we have to trust that God is on our side, and accept how he answers our prayers.

If we pray with the attitude that we'd be the judge of how well God provides or answers our prayers, then we violate the first commandments forbidding us to treat God as a genie in a bottle, our beck and call. God will not put up with such insolence. And such prayers will not be heard.

A person who doubts God's character and yet asks for his help is confused. James describe the confusion as a boat lost at sea with no sense of direction, drifting. But for someone who trust's in God's character and promises, every answer to every prayer - regardless of how they are answered, teach us something more about what God is like.

God is God. When we pray, we are appealing to his mercy. When he answers, we have to trust that he knows what he is doing and he is acting in our best interest. We can ask questions - but from the perspective of a child, not the perspective of a judge.

Write
Think about your faith story: what are some things you have learned about God's character in the way he has answered your prayers?

How well do you trust that God has your best interest at heart? What kind of doubts do you have about God?

Who do you know is struggling in their belief that God is on their side?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about your faith in him - his love for you, and his commitment to your well being.

Talk to God about your ability to pray believing in God's faithfulness to you. Ask him for the help you need to learn more about what God is like.

Pray for your friend who is struggling with doubt. Ask God how you can support each other in learning more about what God is like.

Pray for a fresh experience of God's love, grace and mercy as he reassures you of his love for you, and his commitment to your well being so you can pray relying on his faithfulness.