James 4:2-3

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on pleasures.”

In these verses, James mentions the most common problems in prayer. We ask for the wrong reasons. God does tell us we do not receive because we do not ask, but we need to look at the reasons we are asking if we are not receiving. Are we asking for things that satisfy our own desires? Some might believe these verses are not for Christians due to the mention of quarrels and fights; or killing. These verses were written for Christians. When we ask for things that we desire rather than what God would want for us, if we have a longing for something that is not good for us, this is called coveting. Do you want what others have? Are there gifts that you long for but God has not given them to you? This is called coveting. God gives to each what will be good for them and that will further the kingdom. What is your desire, and does it match up to what God would want for you?

Dear God, help me to desire and ask for what you would want for me. Help me to further the kingdom and give me your wisdom to know that difference. Help me to let go those things that are not good for me. Thank you that you want only good for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.