An excerpt from "Crosswalk.com" entitled, "A Closer Look at Motives in 'You Have Not Because You Ask Not'" by Clarence L. Haynes Jr., states:
"The 3-Check Prayer Litmus Test
We have clearly seen in James that just praying is not enough. You must look closer at the motives you have. Because you do not ask is not the only reason you do not receive. To help you when you pray, I want you to check these three things.
1. Check your faith.
You simply cannot receive anything from God without faith. Hebrews reminds us of this.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
Any prayer you bring to God must be in faith so make sure you have faith.
2. Check your ask.
Make sure that what you are asking lines up with God’s will. A great way of doing this is by simply praying the promises God has provided you in his word. If God has promised to do it, then you can be confident in asking for it.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15
3. Check your why.
As we have just seen in James, your motives matter, so check your why. Why are you asking for what you are asking for? Be sure to take a close look at your motives. If your motives are pure and right, then you can be confident in asking."
This article may be viewed at: A Closer Look at Motives in 'You Have Not Because You Ask Not'/crosswalk.com
Reference: James 4:2
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