Oh Lord, Won’t You Buy Me a Color TV

James 4:1-3

Please forgive the Janis Joplin reference, but it was just too perfect. There are at least two major reasons our prayers may not be answered (or may not appear to be, at least). This passage addresses the first…our motive for asking. God is not a vending machine, nor is He our employee. Does what we request line up with His character and the teachings of Scripture? Is it a true need or a want? God wants to give us good gifts, but He is not required to fulfill our wildest dreams…or clean up after our poor choices. He will, however, always give us what we need.

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Questions for further thought:
1. Can you see a change in the kind of prayers you pray when you compare your requests as a new believer to your prayers today?  

2. If yes, has it been a positive change? Why or why not?


​Challenge: Evaluate your conversations with God. What is the focus of most of your requests – you or others? Is it a one-way conversation or do you spend time listening as well? Make any changes your analysis reveals to you.