Devotionals

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“You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them.” (James 4:2b, God’s Word Translation)

Though this Scripture, in its context, speaks to “unfaithful people” (verse 4), it easily applies to faithful followers, as well. How often do we try to accomplish something by our own efforts, forgetting to ask God for assistance? Or grumble about unpleasant circumstances rather than casting our burden on Him, letting His strength lighten our challenges? When we aren’t quick to humble ourselves before our Creator, we can experience pain or frustration, instead of peace.

The old hymn, ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’, reminds us:
“O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!”

‘Everything’ means just what it implies. Running to God in a crisis can be commonplace for many. But, on the flip side, we can erroneously assume He’s so holy He won’t possibly take time for our mundane, ordinary needs. No, He wants to talk with us about everything.

This morning, the rain started pouring ‘in buckets’ just as my husband was leaving for work. I breathed a quick prayer, “Father, please lighten the rain until he gets on his way.” Immediately the downpour dropped to a sprinkle. I watched as my husband drove to the gate, got out to open it, drove through, got out again to close it, then disappeared out of sight. A few minutes later, the skies opened and bucketfuls came plummeting down again.

To some, my request may seem silly. Yet it didn’t hurt to ask God and then watch to see what He would do.

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