TODAY'S FOOD FOR THE SOUL James 4: 1- 10 TODAY'S RHEMA James 4: 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James was an employee who was also very active in ministry. He spent a lot of time in prayer because he believed that if he did ministry and prayed day and night, God would provide his needs and grant his desire to be promoted. Upon getting home from work, James only had a shower and dinner. Then, he would bid his wife goodbye and head to church for service. Oftentimes, he was absent from work for the sake of praying for the sick. One day, something unexpected happened. James wasn't promoted as he hoped, but he was fired. Not long after that, his wife proposed a divorce because she felt denied attention and affection. James protested to God, "I have prayed and served You wholeheartedly, God, but why did this bad thing happen in my life?"
James' story may look like ours now. When feel we have prayed earnestly and given the best to God, but our prayers seem to go unanswered. Worse still, unpalatable events happen in our lives. James does deserve kudos for perseverance in prayer and ministry. However, God looks at the heart. Taking action with motivation to pleasure ones own fleshly desire doesn't delight God's heart. Furthermore, inability to maintain balance in ministry, job, and relationship with people around us can act as a hindrance to prayers.
Today, if some of us are still experiencing unanswered prayer, let us check ourselves. We may have a wrong motivation for prayer. When God opens our eyes to something we're not doing right, repent immediately so that our prayer life can be more effective and we become a spiritual giant who draws souls to God.
REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, The WRONG MOTIVE IN PRAYER makes your prayer INEFFECTIVE.
APPLICATIONS 1. Do you have any unanswered prayer? 2. Is there any wrong motive for your prayer that caused it to be ineffective? 3. Today, is God revealing to you an aspect in your life that needs fixing? What will you do to fix your prayer life?
TODAY'S PRAYER "Father, You are so kind to me. You don't only love me but You want me to become a spiritual giant as Jesus. Teach and reveal to me any area I have wrong motives for prayer so that my prayer can be effective. Thank You for Your steadfast love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
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