Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
Prayer is the communion with the Most High. Prayer is a ministry for us as a child of God. This is why you can turn away from everyone and everything to just minister to the Lord. You know the Bible says as you do this, you send forth incense unto God (ref. Revelation 5:7; 8:2-3). Anybody can pray, but it takes a Child of God to send forth incense by the Spirit into the presence of God. Apostle Peter said, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” ( 1Peter 3:12, NIV).
However, there are many children of God who don’t have the same testimony. They don’t always receive the answer to their prayers, and the reason for this is clear in our main verse. I love how the amplified Bible puts it, “You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask [a]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.” (James 4:3).
There are people who only pray when they need finances, not so that they can be partners in the kingdom, but so that they can live a lavish life. And they never receive answers to their prayers. While there are others who pray for their husband or wives’ salvation, not because salvation is necessary, but because then it will get easier for them to come to church. And there are others who pray to get out of debts or diseases or fights, not so that they can serve the Lord but so that they can enjoy life. These are selfish prayers. Such prayers aren’t heard. Not because God doesn’t want you rich, happy, or joyful, but because your selfish desires, malign your prayers. If you pray to be what God wants you to be, you will have all the desires of your heart because His plans are undoubtedly better than yours.
God is a personality who relates with your heart. He knows the reason and the intention behind your prayer. Refuse to live such a low life where you only commune with God when you have to get something. Pray to Him because you love Him and want to walk with Him; desire to be rich so that you can be a blessing to others, so that you can do great things for the kingdom of God. And as you walk with Him, everything you ever need in your life will be yours, even before you think of it. That’s the higher life God has called us into, in Christ Jesus.
Confession:
I refuse to live an empty life. I am a blessing, and I continually pray that I grow in my partnership with God to make this world a better place. I live my life beyond the selfish needs. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me a great mentality. Glory be unto you forevermore!
