03Jun16

James 4:2-3
"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Why hasn't God answered my prayers? I get this question a lot. We want what we want. We ask God for direction and then say we don't hear Him when we don't like the answer He's given. Sometimes, a lot of times, we don't even bother to ask. We just figure God couldn't be bothered. But, nothing is further from the truth. God does care. He cares a lot. But, He cares enough that He's not going to just give you everything your wicked heart desires. That's the point of this verse. God says, "You don't have it because you don't ask... and you ask in the wrong way." We don't ask for what we know God wants for our lives. We ask for what we want for our lives. We ask out of fear and anxiety instead of faith and security. Are you ready for what God really wants to do in your life? Try praying this prayer...

God, thank you for always giving me what I need. I know that I want things that are not good for me and will chase after them. Please help me to focus my eyes, heart, and thoughts on you. Show me the things you want for me. I want to chase those things regardless of the cost. Show me your will in the small decisions I make every day and I will obey so that I may show myself worthy of the path you have chosen for me. Amen.