Prayer and Verifiability

 
I have observed what I call the Law of Verifiability which says when verifiability is low confidence is high and when verifiability is high confidence is low. As with the Law of Gravity there is no law just observations of consistent behavior.

 

This observation covers athletic event predictions; weather predictions; political predictions; in other words any prediction of future results as well as the practice of prayer.

 

When we pray we hope or wish but seldom do we expect.

 

James told his readers that prayer had to be asked 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. 

 

Of course James could be limiting his instruction to a prayer for wisdom but if he is not hoping and wishing are not acceptable.

Jesus told his followers "if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen." Was he talking to us, I doubt it.

Obviously hoping and wishing are not examples of faith so those prayers will not receive a reply. 

Prayers for the sick, for safe travel, for security, to bring the troops home, our government leaders etc have low verifiability so our confidence that God answers those prayers are high. But prayers to protect the church building have high verifiability so our confidence is low and we place our confidence in a security system. Congregation's financial stability has a high verifiability so our confidence is low so we rely on savings accounts and the like for times of low contributions.