Why "we don't have why we don't ask"?

Asking what we want is something we do multiple times throughout our days: ordering in the drive-thru, asking someone out for a date / wedding, asking for the everyday things we need in life.

But how about asking for what we need deep down - the demands in life that we don't know we really need? What about the prayers we have said to God and wonder why they have not been answered at will or not at all?

In the book of James, James, a servant of God, wrote to ask God to take care of our needs, but he asked God in a way that was with faith instead of demanding our way. In James 4: 2-3, he states: "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong reasons, so that you can spend what you get for your own pleasures."

What can be learned from this Scripture is that we may not get what we want God to bless us with because we don't ask with the right intention in mind. We ask for these requests to satisfy our wants, needs and desires and God wishes to bless us with our prayers, but only if they want to help others and glorify Him, not just ourselves.

There is more to unravel in this verse, as well as more verses pertaining to the same truth, so let's dive in and learn more about what it means to ask God with divine intentions in mind.

What is the context of James 4?
Written by James, who in the Bible is said to be a “slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” James 4 speaks of the need not to be proud but humble. This chapter also explains how we should not judge our brothers and sisters or focus only on what we will do tomorrow.

The book of James is a letter written by James to the twelve tribes around the world, the first Christian churches, to share with them the wisdom and truth that are in line with God's will and the teachings of Jesus. Previous chapters they cover topics such as keeping our words (James 3), enduring trials and being executors, not just listeners, of the Bible (James 1 and 2), not reciting favorites, and practicing our faith (James 3).

When we come to James 4, it is clear that the book of James is the Scripture that encourages us to look within to see what needs to be changed, knowing that the trials around us could be handled better when we are one with God in mind, body and spirit.

James focuses chapter 4 on talking about not being proud, but submitting to God instead and being humble in asking for needs to be met, as "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4: 6). The chapter goes on to tell readers not to speak ill of one another, especially brothers and sisters in Christ, and not to believe that one's day is dictated by oneself, but is directed by God's will and what He wants it done first (James 4: 11-17).

The beginning of chapter 4 offers an honest perspective to the reader by asking how wars start, how conflicts begin and answers the question with another question whether these conflicts start because of people pursuing their own desires for struggle and control (James 4: 1 -2). This leads to the choice of the scriptures at James 4: 3 that the reason most people don't get what they want most from God is because they ask with wrong intentions.

The verses to follow examine more reasons why people ask for what they need for the wrong reasons. These include the fact that people who try to be friends with the world will become enemies of God, which leads to a sense of entitlement or pride that could make it even more difficult to hear God clearly.

What else does the Bible say about asking for things?
James 4: 3 isn't the only verse that discusses asking God for help with your needs, dreams, and desires. Jesus shares one of the most recognizable verses in Matthew 7: 7-8: “Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For all who ask receives; he who seeks finds; and to anyone who knocks, the door will open. ”The same is said in Luke 16: 9.

Jesus also spoke of what will happen when we ask God in faith: "And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (Matt. 21:22).

He also shares the same sentiment in John 15: 7: "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask for what you desire, and it will be done to you."

John 16: 23-24 says: “In that day you will ask me nothing more. Truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. You have not asked for anything on my behalf until now. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. "

James 1: 5 also advises what happens when we need God's guidance: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

In light of these verses, it is obvious that we should ask in a way which is to bring glory to God and draw people to Him, while at the same time satisfying the needs and desires we have. God will not accept prayers about getting rich, about revenge on enemies or about being better than others if it is not in line with His will that we love our neighbors as ourselves.

Will God give us everything we ask for?
While we ask God to have our needs met with the right intentions, God does not necessarily have to fulfill those requests in prayer. In fact, there are many times that it doesn't. But we continue to pray and ask for things anyway.

When we consider what we ask in prayer, we need to understand and remember that God's timing is not the same as our timing. It doesn't have to make your requests happen in the blink of an eye, if patience, contentment, perseverance and love are achieved in the wait.

God is the one who gave you those desires in your heart. Sometimes, when there is a lapse of time before something happens, know that it is God's intent to bless you with this desire that He has given you.

One feeling I always remember when I am struggling with waiting for God's provision is remembering that God's "no" may not be a "no" but a "not yet". Or, it could also be a "I have something better in mind".

So, don't be discouraged if you feel that you are asking with the right intentions and you know that God can provide, but you find that your prayer has not yet been answered or fulfilled. It is not forgotten in God's eyes, but it will be used to achieve so much in His kingdom and grow you as His child.

Spend time in prayer
James 4: 3 gives us a strong dose of reality when James shares that the prayer requests we have may not be answered because we ask not with divine intentions but with worldly intentions.

However, the verse does not mean that you cannot go to God in prayer and that He will not answer. It is saying more that when you take the time to determine if what you are asking for is something good for you and for God, then you come to the determination of whether it is something you would like God to fulfill or not.

It is also the understanding that just because God hasn't answered your prayer doesn't mean He never will; usually, because God knows us better than we know ourselves, the response to our prayer request is better than we expect.