Selfish Prayers

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
James 4: 1-3

Prayer should be a part of a Christian’s daily life. It is, after all, direct communication with God. He loves us and wants us to ask for our needs and wants – even though He already knows what they are.

Have you ever wondered if your prayer might cross the line and become selfish? I think of my dogs and their dependence on me. In return for my care, they give me unconditional love, but at times, they also have selfish demands. Am I guilty of such demands of God?

Philip Yancey, a Christian author, has shared five signs of selfish prayer.

1) Focusing on your own comfort – Usually when trying to get out of a tough situation, you make a desperate plea to the Lord.
2) Focusing on what makes your life easier – You treat God as “the genie in the bottle” who grants wishes.
3) Focusing on things – You look at material things as the solution.
4) Focusing on status – You look at how it impacts your social or church status.
5) Focusing on fear – You concentrate on things you can lose rather than what you can gain by giving God control.

Remember that it’s not selfish to ask for needs or wants, as long as your request doesn’t interfere with your walk with God. He must have preeminence as your first love. He wants us to ask and trust Him for provision. When we desire Him first, doors are open to so much more because we have our priorities right.

Dear Lord, I want to thank You for Your love and praise You for Your glory. I know that by trusting You, my needs will be met according to Your will.