Asking for the Wrong Reason

Why Our Prayers Don’t Get Answered Sooner, If At All

Reason number 2: We want something for the wrong reason. James 4:1 – 3

In Proverbs, the 16^th chapter, the author writes about God weighing the motives of a person’s heart. In verse three it states, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” You cannot commit something to God and still think you’re going to get your selfish wants, needs or desires met.

God is not a selfish God so don’t think He’s going to answer a selfish, self-centered prayer. In James, God makes it clear that those prayers go unanswered. In verse three of the fourth chapter of James, it says, ^“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Why is the motive wrong? Because you are asking to use what you’re praying for to fulfill your own pleasures and not the work of God.

If we are praying for something for the wrong reason, that prayer may not get answered quickly, if at all. God doesn’t do anything out of selfish ambition, prideful desire or by being a glutton and just asking for more because He can, so why would he answer prayers that stand against his character?

God does not answer prayers without considering the effect; it will have on others. You may only be looking at what your prayer being answered will mean to you but God, looks at the total picture, including what answering a selfish pray will mean to others and to you, down the line.

If we pray, with wrong motives or our prayers are not in line with God’s word, will or character, we cannot expect to receive all of God’s riches and bountiful blessings. God will not bless our mess!

Prayer: Lord God, forgive me for expecting you to bless everything I pray for, even when it’s not in line with your word and plan for me. Forgive me for praying selfish, self-centered prayers that only take into account what I want. Help me to access my heart’s desires in light of your word, not in line with my flesh. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

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