James 1:6
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
To obtain any favour from God, there must be faith in the asker. How can a person ask in faith if he has no faith in God? How can he ask in Christ’s name if he believes not in Him? Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
It is also crucial that the request made befits the faith in the Lord Jesus. If one has no good grounds to believe that God will be pleased with the request, then it would not be asking in faith. Scripture says in 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us”. In fact, asking for things that are inconsistent with Scripture is sin.
Faith in God also means submission and obedience to His good will. If we ask for anything from Him, let it be with a willing and ready heart to remain submissive to His answer. We must not ask with a covetous and grudging spirit, but rather with a quiet heart resolved to yield to His will. We must not be self-seeking but God-pleasing in our desires and requests.
Our faith in the wisdom, goodness and faithfulness of our God should fortify our assurance that whatever be His answer to our request, it will be certainly for our good and for His glory through us. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Asking in faith also means being fervent in our prayers. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). By our continual asking for a matter that is in our mind, we do not weary our gracious and compassionate God. He knows it is because of our total reliance upon Him that we return repeatedly to Him with prayers. Has not His Word reminded us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? Jesus also said in Luke 18:1 “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint”.
Thus, we must be unwavering in our faith in God when we pray. Let there be no hesitancy nor doubting. Otherwise, like in a troubled sea, our hearts will be filled with doubt and anxiety. So, let us commit our needs and troubles in prayer to God with utmost confidence and assurance.