“…You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NIV
Motives. It’s so hard to recognize and understand our own motives. What are my motives when I approach God? Am I asking Him to agree with me or am I agreeing with Him? What is it I really want? My motives when I approach God will affect how I ask and what I ask Him for.
Corrie Ten Boom was a well-known Christian author, speaker, and concentration camp survivor. I once heard a quote attributed to her that has shaped my prayers since. She said the key to knowing God’s will is being willing to do whatever He asks. Wow! That is a simple and challenging statement! Do I truly want to know God’s will? Am I willing to do whatever He says?
When I get honest with myself, I recognize times when God’s will is not what I want most. I am really looking for something else, even though I am going to God in prayer.
Comfort. I clearly remember the moment when God revealed comfort as a motive for my prayers. I was fervently praying for a loved one to break out of a deep depression. At least I convinced myself that is what I was praying for. As I prayed, I felt God’s whisper. “Stop!” He showed me that I wasn’t praying for my loved one. I was praying for myself. My loved one’s challenge made my life more difficult. What I was really praying for was my own comfort. My loved one’s healing would make my life easier. That was my motive for prayer. Yuck!
Ambition. I often hear people say they want to do great things for God. So do I! He is certainly worthy of great things. He is worthy of everything we have to give. But wanting to do our best for God and wanting to do great things for God are not the same, are they?
This is a tricky line to walk. Doing my best for God may move me into a position of leadership or notoriety. That may be a natural result, but I must be willing to ask myself if the position is what I am seeking rather than God’s glory.
My friend, do your best. Don’t hold back. Go for everything God has for you. When Christian leaders fulfill divine potential they advance the Kingdom of God. Let that be your motive.
God’s glory. You and I exist for God’s glory. There is nothing more satisfying. Accolades and attention feel good, but they don’t last. God’s glory, that lasts. God’s glory is what I want to be my motive for prayer. If I seek His will and His glory I can be at peace. I can be content. If I seek His will, I can be sure He will answer. If I approach Him with an open heart and humility I will experience His presence. That’s a treasure worth seeking.
Dear Friend, Scripture says that my heart, and yours, is deceitfully wicked above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). It’s hard to know our own hearts. We must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us. Sometimes what He reveals is yuck! But without the truth, we can’t make any adjustments. At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is the Gospel. When I allow the Holy Spirit to reveal my selfish motives, I can line up with what matters most to God, the redemption of lost people. There are still parts of me and you that are lost. He wants to redeem those as much as He wants to redeem those who have not yet come into His family.
Key Question: What are my motives in asking God?
A Scripture to Consider: “…You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NIV
A YES Challenge: Set aside time to sit in silence and allow God to reveal your motives. Consider setting aside a day to fast and allow Him to reveal what is inside you. Allow Him to make the necessary adjustments so you can line up with His will for His glory.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You know me. You know the deepest, darkest parts of my heart. Help me be willing to let You show me where ambition or my own comfort keep me from seeking Your glory first. Help me align my motives to line up with Your will. Amen.
