Take Everything to God – by Anne Warden

“You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them.” (James 4:2b, GWT)

Though this Scripture, in its context, speaks to “unfaithful people” (verse 4), it easily applies to faithful followers, as well. How often do we try to accomplish something by our own efforts, forgetting to ask God for assistance or grumble about unpleasant circumstances rather than casting our burden on Him, letting His strength lighten our challenges? When we aren’t quick to humble ourselves before our Creator, we can experience pain or frustration instead of peace.

The old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” reminds us: “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”

Everything means just what it implies. Running to God in a crisis can be commonplace for many. But, on the flip side, we can erroneously assume He’s so holy He won’t possibly take time for our mundane, ordinary needs. No, He wants to talk with us about everything.

This morning, it started pouring just as my husband was leaving for work. I breathed a quick prayer, Father, please lighten the rain until he gets on his way. Immediately, the downpour dropped to a sprinkle. I watched as my husband drove to the gate, got out to open it, drove through, got out again to close it, and then disappeared out of sight. A few minutes later, the skies opened and bucketfuls came plummeting down again.

To some, my request may seem silly. Yet, it didn’t hurt to ask God and then watch to see what He would do.

Anne is a Christian writer who lives in Washington State with her husband and four cats. Contact