Want The Will!

The parents of a little girl listened fondly as their child prayed at the edge of her bed, “Dear God, please send down the lovely snow to keep the sweet little flowers warm through the winter.” Oh, how her parents glowed with pride as she jumped into bed. But as they were leaving their daughter’s room she said, with a mischievous smile, “I sure fooled Him that time. I really wanted the snow so I can play with my new sled.”

We know we don’t fool God! If we think we can, we have merely fooled ourselves. But what MOTIVATES our prayer requests? James referred to some who struggled with having the proper MOTIVATION in prayer.

“You ask and do not receive, because YOU ASK WRONGLY, TO SPEND IT ON YOUR PASSIONS.” ( James 4:3 ESV)

I don't profess to have all the answers to all the questions relating to the answering of prayer. As I trust in God I know His wisdom far exceeds mine. I do know, however, that my prayers ought to be in faith and I also ought to give thought to my MOTIVATION in prayer and for what I am seeking. Perhaps the question we should ask is: “In prayer, am I seeking the Will of God or merely my own wants?”

It is true we express our desires in prayer, but we must still do that with a sincere desire for God to work His WILL, knowing He will do so according to His wisdom. May the seeking of God's WILL be the MOTIVATING factor for our life and our prayers.

Have a great day ALLOWING GOD’S WILL TO BE YOUR WANT!
Carl
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[This focus was originally sent 11/30/1998, (Edited some and passage has been changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Motives