When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:3
Yesterday we saw that the Bible says our relationships with one another matter to God when we pray. We need to forgive others so that God is free to forgive us. Another big thing that matters when we pray is our motives. James tells us we ask but don’t receive because we pray with the wrong motives.
In the New Testament we see over and over again of the Pharisees praying with the wrong motives. They were basically being seen and heard by the people and were not really focused on God.
For us, it can be easy to let our selfish motives enter into our prayer life. “God, give me this job so that my life would be easier.” “God let me win the lottery so I can give you money and take care of my needs.” “God, let my kids, spouse, friends act right.” God,” – we fill in the blank with things we want when the Bible says to pray for the things we need. We want God to sign off on our agenda.
Proverbs 16:2 says, All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
We all need a check-up from the neck up. What are your motives when you pray? Are they driven by selfishness or by a real need?