The Prayer of Faith

James 1:5-8

James 5:13-18

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I once led a small group study on prayer. We used Richard Foster’s powerful book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. The idea was met with resistance from one well-meaning person who commented, “I don’t need a book on prayer. You just pray.” And, if I am honest, many times I do pray without any thought to the words or motivation of the prayer. It is the rote repetition of familiar ideas.

James writes that if we pray without faith, we are double-minded and need not expect anything from the Lord. Double-minded means wavering or uncertain. When we pray, “not my will but yours” we are giving both God and us an out. We really don’t expect an answer, or the outcome we want, so we provide an exit ramp. “It wasn’t God’s will.” I hear your objection; “but that’s what Jesus prayed!” Indeed, it was. And Jesus modeled the faithful prayer by accepting the cup without question, without second-guessing, and making excuses for not getting what he wanted.

At this point I would like to propose a question that I have been wrestling with. Am I praying for outcomes or to build a relationship with God? Jesus accepted God’s will because of his relationship with the Father. The outcome is not what he asked for, but the relationship is such that Jesus completely trusted God’s love and plan.

Too often my prayers are quick “gimme” prayers. Sometimes I treat God like a genie in a bottle. If I say the right words and rub the bottle my wish will be granted. I am not saying that God does not hear our prayers, and I am not saying that outcomes are unimportant, but rather I am suggesting that God wants a relationship with God’s children that does not depend on outcomes. I am suggesting that we affirm God’s goodness, love, and grace in all circumstances.

What James is describing is what may be described as an “attitude of prayer.” Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean that we walk around with our eyes closed, constantly murmuring prayers. Rather, it means that we have a relationship with God that is so deep and intimate that we become hard-wired to pray. In joy and in sorrow, our natural response is to turn to God In prayer. It is not, “O gee, I need to pray!” It Is the natural response of the heart to place our circumstances into the hands of our loving parent.

James declares that prayer is appropriate and efficacious in all circumstances. If you are suffering, pray for release. If you are cheerful, sing songs of joy. If you are ill call the community to anoint you with oil and pray for healing. Prayer is the community’s forgiving response to sin.

James encourages the prayer of the individual as well as the community. I would strongly suggest that you find a prayer partner. Ask someone you trust to join you once or twice a month for coffee, lunch, or whatever fits your schedule. There is no set agenda for these conversations. You can talk about your kids, grandkids, job situation, or recent vacation. The conversation topics are not as important as the relationship being cultivated. At the close of your time together you ask each other a crucial question. “How can I pray for you?” If you dare you can pray for one another in that moment. As time goes on you will be more comfortable sharing deeper concerns. The prayers will be founded on the relationship rather than the outcome.

This is the relationship God wants with God’s children. When was the last time I simply sat and chatted with God? Without asking anything? When did I say thank you for what I received without tacking another request onto the end of the prayer. Parents understand what a joy it is to hear from our children who may live some distance away. We want to hear about their lives, children, jobs. We simply want to hear from them.

God loves you and wants to hear from you. Maybe we could spare God a few minutes?