“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.”  James 1: 5 – 7 MSG

On a recent trip to the beach, I sat on the shore and watched the waves roll in. I noticed how occasional gusts of wind blew the crests of the waves, causing a sea spray to shoot a fine mist of salt water into the wind and create seafoam.

The bubbly white foam rolled in with the waves and was deposited on the beach, leaving a collection of effervescent spume at the shoreline. Over time the mounds of frothy bubbles popped and then completely disappeared.

Observing these wind-whipped waves reminded me of James’ description of people who “worry their prayers.” When we mix our prayers with our worries and doubts, the outcome is like blending the wind with the waves, resulting in a buildup of seafoam that seems substantial, but in the end, it produces nothing.

Jesus taught us about the futility of worrying when he said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25 – 26 NIV)

Worrying about our problems causes anxiety without solving anything, but praying about our problems brings peace because when we pray, we know that we have tapped into God’s heavenly storehouse of limitless and unimaginable problem-solving solutions.

Do you ever find yourself worrying about something instead of “boldly, believingly, without a second thought,” laying your cares at the feet of your Heavenly Father?

Don’t waste your time and energy churning with worries and ruminating about actual or imagined problems. Turn to God with your cares and trust that He will help you. He loves to help his children!

Be a Prayer Warrior, not a Prayer Worrier!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Dear Lord, Thank you that you are available 24/7 and that I can always turn to You in prayer. Forgive me for the times that I “worry my prayers” and fail to trust that You are big enough to handle any request.  When worries start to swirl in my mind, remind me of the wind-whipped waves and help me have faith to boldly and confidently approach Your throne of grace where I know You are ready and willing to help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.