James 1:6-8
6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The above scripture shows us the importance of being specific. James says that if a man can’t make up his mind then he isn’t receiving anything from the Lord.
Often, we are indefinite in our prayers. Maybe we at one time were very specific and over time have lost our ferver and went back to old ways. I meet people all the time who say, “I pray all the time.” When I ask them what scripture they’re standing on in prayer, they usually hesitate and then say, “I just pray. I talk to God all day.” It comes as a surprise to them to find out that they can be very specific with God.
If you saw a man in a grocery store pushing a cart and not putting anything in, you would think that something was wrong with him. He’s shopping and buying nothing. When I was a child my mother would send me to the store with a small list. I’d go to the store and purchase those specific items. My mother was definite about what she wanted, and I was definitely going to get only what she asked for. That was being specific about a request.
So it is with prayer. It is better to ask God for one specific thing than to pray a general prayer not pointing to anything in particular. Make a decision about what you want from God.
Suggested Prayer: Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank you for showing me how to pray. Even if I thought I knew, I set myself as a student of the word to learn more from You, because Your word is always providing new facets of revelation that I’ve not known. Thank you Father.
Recommended Reading:
Praying to Get Results by Kenneth E. Hagin