This is a devotion that I read some time ago and wanted to pass on. It certainly rings true to me.

This is from Bob Gass Ministries’ A Word For You Today.

“BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT GOD HAD POWER TO DO WHAT HE HAD PROMISED.” ROMANS 4:21

Why don’t we turn to God in prayer more often? Because at some basic and perhaps unconscious level, we’re not “fully persuaded” that He’s able to do anything about it. Being able to admit that to God and ourselves is humbling. It’s also the point at which we begin to overcome our doubts, our self-sufficiency and our lack of confidence in God. Nothing changes until we can pray, “Lord, help me. I say things with my lips, I don’t allow to govern my life.” Once we can speak those words with conviction, we’re ready to begin walking through our Bible, rediscovering that, “God is able.” Able to deliver from fiery furnaces of adversity (Da 3:17). Able to give a child to a 90 year-old woman (See Ro 4:18). “Able to do immeasurably more than all we ask” (Eph 3:20). Whatever it takes for you to own the words, “God is able,” do it, because until you do you’ll be a faint-hearted pray-er. You’ll make a few wishes on your knees, but you won’t be able to persevere in prayer until you know in your heart of hearts that God is able - and that He’s willing.

God is capable of handling anything you bring to Him. Creating planets is no problem for Him; neither is taking the little you’ve got and making it go a long way. Nothing is too difficult for Him - He’s just waiting for you to recognize that, then come to Him in faith, asking for His help.

How many times have I given up on Him, thinking that my prayers were falling on deaf ears, or that I could do a better job than He could? I remember a time in Sunday School years ago when my teacher asked who we turned to when we had problems. You heard the typical answers of family, friends, and the church and while I said family out loud, deep inside I knew I mainly relied on myself. I wasn’t about to say this aloud, though. It didn’t seem like a “Sunday School answer.” Only when the teacher said it, that many people rely only on themselves, did it really sink in that not only do I rely on myself more than I should, but I can’t admit it to anyone, and only barely could to myself. Since then, I’ve realized that I need to open up more and let people in, let others help me when they offer. I’m getting better at that, but I’m still having trouble with completely giving everything over to God, and letting Him take care of things. It’s really tough, but He’s got the power to handle everything we get ourselves into, like looking for a job, dealing with relationship troubles, the loss of a someone close, etc. I must make Him more real in my times of need, have more of a relationship with Him and not have Him be just “out there,” far away, cold, and removed from us. He is very much a part of our lives.