Prayer Is Dependence

GETTING STARTED

Do you know the wingspan of the Andean condor? What does the word adjuvant mean? How do you change the oil in your car? These days, finding the answers to almost of all of life’s questions is only a few finger taps away on your smartphone. But that’s when you’re in pursuit of knowledge. What about wisdom? Though similar in meaning, knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. The biggest difference is that wisdom comes from experience. In life, gaining wisdom from experience is often God’s way of molding our hearts as a sculptor molds clay.

  • How do you seek wisdom? Do you believe that you can find it if you try hard enough, or do you seek God’s input?

READ THE WORD: JAMES 1:5-8 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. How did James characterize the way God gives wisdom (vs. 5)?
  2. In verse 6, what is the condition for receiving God’s wisdom? How does the illustration of a wave being tossed by the wind define one’s heart? In verse 8, how did James characterize the person who asked for wisdom without faith?
  3. What does “ask in faith” truly mean? Is it more than just asking a simple question to the Lord?
  4. How do you seek wisdom from God? Where do you need to grow in your dependence and faith?

RESPOND TO GOD

Previously, James shared that perseverance comes from trials and difficulty. In this passage, he went on to explain how wisdom—seeing life through God’s perspective—comes through prayer. It’s important to keep in mind that prayer does not inform God of something that he does not already know. Instead, it’s an act of our dependence on him to guide us, and to offer us hope and strength, as we cope with difficult circumstances. This passage is not illustrating a mathematical equation of “if this, then that.” Rather, it’s a guide of how our life needs to reflect dependence on God. Knowing this, then, should impact the way we approach him in our daily interactions.

  • Spend time preparing your heart to be dependent on God.
  • Throughout the events of your day, seek God for his perspective.