James 1:5-8
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
Recently I received an e-mail requesting prayer for a “prayer worrier.” I am sure the writer meant “prayer warrior,” but, as I have done so many times—misspelled and thus changed the meaning.
I have been thinking about the difference between the two. I went to the dictionary and found this definition for “warrior”: One who is engaged in or experienced in battle. One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict. That sounds like someone you would like on your side, right?
Here is the definition for “worrier”: One who thinks about unfortunate things that might happen. One who is of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), unstable and uncertain about virtually everything. Whoops! That is certainly not the person I would feel confident to have in my corner as a prayer partner.
The thing I find about a true prayer warrior is that the circumstances have nothing to do with how he reacts. Job had lost all of his earthly possessions, his ten children, his health and his reputation. He was on an ash heap surrounded by friends who accused him of some secret sin that caused all of these things.
How does Job react? Job 19:25-26: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Those are the words of a prayer “warrior” not a prayer “worrier.” Which are you?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil