James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:1-8)
At our weekly prayer meeting this past Wednesday night, we learned how to use James 1:1-8 to guide how we pray for ourselves and others in times of trial. The following is not meant to be a prayer to simply repeat, but an example of how we can pray through Scripture in times of trial, thus anchoring our faith to the Word of God. When praying for others simply insert their names as you cry out to God on their behalf.
Father, I know that through faith in Jesus Christ, I am your bond-servant. Therefore, I am not ultimately in charge of my life—You are.
That means You have absolute authority to bring trials into my life in order to test my faith and help me grow in the character quality of endurance.
Therefore, I consciously consider my present trial as joy, not because the trial itself makes me happy, but because of the confidence I have in Your purpose and wisdom to exalt Christlikeness as a greater treasure than my own personal comfort.
I choose right now to repent of all complaining and ungratefulness of heart.
I confess that sometimes suffering is brought on by my own pride and foolish choices. Therefore, help me to repent of those and make whatever changes of heart and habit are needed in the power of the Spirit.
Please use this time of difficulty to produce in me an enduring will and let that endurance bring me closer to becoming mature in Christ, lacking nothing that I essentially need in order to live for the glory of God.
I confess that I lack wisdom to make the right decisions in this time of testing. Instead, I can be rash and impulsive, motivated more by worry, for the sake of temporary relief. So, I am claiming Your promise to give wisdom not sparingly, but in truckloads, so that I may please You and not myself.
I confess that, though I know I should have strong faith, I am often like the father who came to Jesus on behalf of his mute son, saying, “I do believe. Help my unbelief!”
I know my faith should be strong, but sometimes I am so weak. Help me to trust You completely and not go back and forth from belief to doubt, from belief to doubt, like the moving waters of Lake Michigan upon the sandy beach. For I know you cannot reward unbelief since it is impossible to please You without faith.
Help me to be solid and stable in my faith so that I may not rightly be called, “double-minded.”
Above all, help me to submit to this present trial so that I may become like Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, and that by watching my response to suffering, others may see Him in me…all for the glory of Jesus. Amen.
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