Spiritual Warfare: 'Doubt and Divided Loyalty Hinders Prayer'

God's Power for Our Battles — Saturday, November 8, 2025

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 Saturday, November 8, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'A Clear Command'
"Dear Lover of God, During My earthly ministry, I was asked: "which commandment is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:36). Quoting Old Testament Scriptures,....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Why Do…?' (Mt. 15:1-2)
"Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Isaiah 43:1
"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Joel 2:8
"Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion, they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into confusion......"

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