What Are My Motives?

James 4:3; Proverbs 16:2

What are we praying for?  Does that affect prayers being answered?  If we ask for things just to give us pleasure, it may be the wrong motive.  It may even be considered selfish, and possibly not God’s will.  Proverbs tells us we may think we are pure in our own eyes, but the LORD examines our motives.  Prayers need to be consistent with God’s character, which we learn from reading His word in scripture.  Praying for a luxury or harm to another may fit the description of wrong motive or impure purpose.

Questions for further thought:
1. Do you have unanswered prayers?

2. How do they measure up against these verses?  

Challenge: There may be times you are not sure how to pray.  That may provide you an opportunity to leave the issue in God’s hands.