Have you ever seen a person embarking a boat with one foot in the boat and the other on a dock when the boat starts to float away? That is an unstable and scary position to be in. The person doesn’t know whether to try to get on board the boat or reverse course and retreat back to the dock. Indecision causes a disastrous fall.
God tells us that faith and prayer are similar. James 1:6-8 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
God does not necessarily honor the request of the person who has one foot firmly established in the foundation of faith and the other foot planted in doubt and self effort. Faith and doubt move in opposite directions, like the boat moving away from the dock. Faith and self effort also move in opposite directions. God will honor the request spoken by faith. He may not hear the request offered by someone who intends to make it happen themselves. This type of request is spoken from a dangerous and unstable position. Make your requests known to God, but do so from the firm foundation of faith in Him.
Reluctant Retiree 