If God knows what we want before we ask for it, why pray at all?The correct answer is, to put it bluntly: ‘Because if you don’t ask, don’t expect to get!’James says, “You don’t have because you don’t ask…and when you do ask, you ask with bad motives.”I am sure that all of James’ readers felt that barb cut deep. No one believes that their motives in prayer are questionable. But that is exactly what they are when individuals see the fulfilment of their personal wants as more important than the needs of those in the kingdom of Christ—the church.Jesus calls us to pray for ‘daily bread.’ Later in Matthew chapter six he warns against the worries of ‘tomorrow.’ When it comes to provisions, too often Christians have so much in storage in their homes, that there is actually no thought of asking God to provide food for today, let alone tomorrow. The manna in the desert was given daily for daily consumption. If it was stored, except for on the Sabbath, it was spoiled. We praise God for abundance! But only if it is prayed for and earmarked for Christian service. Otherwise, it is a resource stored for you, not for God. This equals bad motives and it shouldn’t surprise us if God withholds his blessings. After all, He gives more to those who give more in his name.What better way to end than to leave the last words to Proverbs 30:8b-9—“Give me neither poverty nor riches;Feed me with the food that is my portion,That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”Or that I not be in want and steal,And profane the name of my God.”John StaigerIf you have been blessed by this message, please feel free to: Like, Comment or Share it with your friends. (322)
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