Spiritual Warfare: 'Doubt and Divided Loyalty Hinders Prayer'

God's Power for Our Battles — Sunday, November 8, 2026

But when you [pray and] ask [God], be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
— James 1:6-7 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, I confess that MANY times in my past prayer life I have asked for help while I was sure the prayer wouldn’t help at all. I have prayed with doubts for the majority of my life. I have wavered, questioned You, and focused on my fears instead of Your promises, and I now realize that this has negated my prayers and fed my fears. Forgive me. Lead me gently home, Father, and help me to learn again to live a life of faith like a newborn Christian. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Focusing on Prayer
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Prayer is one of the most precious gifts you have received as the Father's child! One of the reasons I sent the Holy Spirit to you was...."
My Cell Phone Doesn't Work
Article by Steve Ridgell
Why do some people think Jesus is like a cell phone? Cell phones that don't work validate all your fears about technology. Some people have that same thought about Jesus when eveything in life does not work like they want.
When You Need Wisdom
Article by Tom Norvell
With all the crazy stuff going on, how am I supposed to know what to do? Tom Norvel reminds us as leaders that we are promised wisdom, we just need to pray for it and ask for it genuinely and in faith.
FUD
Article by Russ Lawson
These three lurk in the shadows seeking to derail us and do us in. Russ Lawson talks about fear, uncertainty, and doubt, or FUD, and how God's word and God speaks into each of these to give us life.
See All 8 Related Resources about James 1:6-7

Illustration

Illustration of James 1:6-7 NLT — But when you [pray and] ask [God], be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, November 8, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'One Event, Two Stories' (Acts 12:4-5)
"Then [Herod] imprisoned [Peter], placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Be Glad in God's Presence' (Ps. 68:2)
"Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Deeds of the Flesh' (Ga. 5:19-21)
"Dear Father, opposer of all that is evil, Help me to stay away from those things which are clearly works of the flesh: immorality, impurity,..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'A Heavier Judgment on Teachers and Leaders!'
""You were born a total sinner!" [the Jewish leaders answered to the man who had been healed of his blindness and who said Jesus had to be from God]......"

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare