Praying with the Right Motive

"And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." -James 4:3, NLT

It is clear from God's view (or Word) that He delights in giving His children blessings, but it is also clear that He is not a genie who will grant our every wish. We may pray, "God, please give me that promotion at work," not so we can have a more strategic position in which to witness for Christ, but because we want more power and prestige. We may pray, "Lord, help this deal to go through," not because we think it will glorify God, but because it will bring us lots of money to spend on our pleasures.

-Falling in Love with Prayer by Mike Macintosh