"D.F.T.P." Story

Many years ago the Upper Room devotional guide told the story of a man who went to another fellow for counsel regarding an urgent personal problem. Unable to give assurance in any other way the counselor said, "Come around to this side of my desk and read what I have written here where only I can see it."

The many walked behind the desk and read the letters "D.F.T.P." Puzzled, he asked, "What is that all about?"

"Those letters spell the difference between failure and success in the way I make decisions and solve my problems. They are a constant reminder, 'Don't forget to Pray.'"

These two men did not come to an immediate solution to the problem, but the counselor conveyed to the other the importance of the spiritual ingredient in problem solving.

Recall the context of this passage of Scripture. James is writing to persons going trial various trials. From the Word of God and from our own experience, most of us know that trials and difficulties will come. James also gives us a reminder, "D.F.T.P." and tells us for what and how to pray.

Proposition: When we go through trials we should pray: First I want to talk about what to pray for. When we go through trials we should pray

I. Asking for Wisdom. What?

While most of us would like to get rid of our trials, praying for the removal of a trial is not what I see James telling us in these verse. We are instructed to pray for wisdom to make right use of our trials. We should ask for wisdom that will enable us to turn trials into triumphs. You and I cannot do that without God's help.

Human cleverness and worldly wisdom are inadequate apart from spiritual wisdom and insight. These are necessary or our trial may cause us to doubt God and turn away from Him.

So we are not only to pray for knowledge, but for wisdom. We might ask what wisdom is in this context. Wisdom is the application of knowledge, the right use of knowledge. We are to pray asking God who gives to all men and women generously and without reproach and it will be given to us. It is the very nature, of the character of God to give wisdom to those who ask. You may also recall that wisdom is one of the spiritual gifts, a supernatural gift. James tells us that God gives wisdom generously, referring to the abundance of the gift and the gracious spirit in which it is given. We also read that wisdom is given without reproach. God is ready to bless, not scold. In the Message this portion reads: "You'll get His help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.

We might ask, "Why not ask for strength, for grace, or for deliverance?" That is an excellent question. My response is that there is nothing wrong with praying for strength, grace, or deliverance, if that is how the Spirit is leading us to pray. However, the instruction given in this passage indicates that when we are going through trial we are to ask for wisdom. While we might need and want other things from God, we need wisdom.

Pastor Wiersbe, the father of a pastor I worked with a few years ago, tells a story of a gifted woman going through trials. She had been afflicted by a stroke. Then her husband had gone blind and later had to be taken to the hospital where they were sure that he would die. When Pastor Wiersbe saw her in church he assured this woman that he was praying for her. "What are you asking God to do?" She asked.

Her question startled him and then he answered, "I'm asking God to help you and strengthen you."

"I appreciate that," she said, "But pray about one more thing. Pray that I'll have the wisdom not to waste all of this."

When we go through trials we should pray asking for wisdom. My friends, we need wisdom so that we will not waste the opportunities we are being given to mature. God's wisdom may help us understand how to use our difficult circumstances for our good and for God's glory.

James not only tells us what to pray for, but how to pray. When we go through trials we should pray

II. Asking in Faith. How?

In verse five James wrote "without reproach." We might compare this we Jesus' use of the word in Mark 16:14. "For their unbelief." Faith speaks of trust in God through Christ." This is more than intellectual assent. Many would say they believe in God, but they do not have real faith. They do not have a belief in God that determines how they live?

From time to time we should ask ourselves, "Am I living by what I say I believe?" Faith is to be exercised in our daily lives, including when we pray. Be certain of the power and desire of God to give.

As we consider asking in faith James wrote of praying without doubting. Have you ever prayed asking God for something, but did not believe you would receive it? Or maybe when you prayed you actually did believe, but later doubted. James compares this to waves of the sea, up one minute, and down the next. Have you ever been near the ocean, the waves went way down, when suddenly a wave came up and drenched you?

Another image James paints is that of a double-minded person. Literally a double-minded person has two minds or two souls. One believes and the other doubts. He or she is a walking civil war. A person who doubts sets up an uneasiness in his soul, which prevents him from leaning upon God. We might also compare this the restless swaying to and fro of the surface of the water blown by shifting breezes. With corks on the water this would be even more easily demonstrated. Not only does a doubter set up a restlessness in his soul, depriving himself of inner peace, but also disqualifies himself from receiving a divine blessing. Vv.7, 8.

Prayer involves the turning of one's whole mind to God. We CANNOT be facing two ways at once when we are really engaged in prayer.

Conclusion

Life has handed you a lemon. Trials have come your way. "D.F.T.P." Don't forget to pray, what and how? James says, "Asking for wisdom and asking in faith."

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