Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
(James 4:2b-3 NKJV)
00The frustration of unanswered prayer builds as we continue struggling in a seemingly hopeless situation. Why hasn’t God answered? How much longer must we wait?
Could it be that we have inadvertently blocked our own prayers? James gives us insight into two potential roadblocks, and its good news, because we have the power to remove both obstacles.
We don’t have because we don’t ask. I have prayed for my daughter’s salvation for over twenty-five years. In that span of time, I have wandered into seasons of prayerlessness concerning her. Then a sermon or a Bible verse ignites the fire back in me as I plunge back into battle down on my needs.
Sometimes, we take God for granted, and we neglect to pray about the little things. God wants us to bring everything to Him, just like any parent wants their children to bring it all to them.
In verse 3, James conveys that we often pray with the wrong motive. God doesn’t respond to selfish prayer requests. Prayerful and deep soul searching may reveal the wrong motives behind our prayers.
Several months ago, I prayed concerning preorder sales for a new book. I asked God for sales of one hundred copies. I shouldn’t have been surprised that only a handful of books sold. During the COVID lockdown, I could only see numbers because I couldn’t see people. Now as the book nears its release date, I pray for people to be helped by the devotionals and that God will receive the glory.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
Jesus told us that our first priority must be His kingdom, not my kingdom. Not your kingdom. Not even the church’s kingdom. When we compare our prayer lists and the genuine motives behind them to the kingdom of heaven, we should be able to distinguish selfish prayers. What does the second part of the above verse tell us? When we put God first, everything else will be given to us.
When we return to James chapter four, we will discover that selfish prayers are an indicator of worldliness. Living in the world without being part of the world can prove difficult. We definitely want to ask God to examine us and reveal any form of worldliness that has slipped in.
…friendship with the world is enmity with God. (James 4:4b NKJV)
Sweet friend, I don’t like seeing the ugliness hidden deep within me, but I want God to reveal it to me and destroy it. These roadblocks can be removed now that we recognize them. Not only will we open the prayer gates of heaven, but we will cleanse ourselves from the filth of this world.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being interested in the small stuff, such as the ease of finding a parking spot. I want to do a serious self-examination of my motives for my prayers. Flush out all worldliness! Cleanse me and enable me to seek Your kingdom and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
After reading James 4:1-10, what steps does James offer in order to cure worldliness? How can you act on that today?
RELATED RESOURCE
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Originally posted on August 28, 2020 @ 1:00 pm