God Knows the Motives of Our Prayers
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT). Remember, all-knowing God knows all the facts, motives and all the consequences and we can’t.
We are not all-knowing as God. Thus, we can’t make wise decisions as God. God knows better what we need and what’s good for us. Chances are, we ask for something we shouldn’t ask for. Chances are, we are wise enough to see through God’s blessings right away. Chances are, we are wise enough to see through the temptation we trapped. Chances are, down deep we didn’t truly know what we want out of life, we just follow the flow because of unshakable social pressure.
If our prayer is according to God’s will, God will answer. (ESV, 1 John 5:14). If our prayer remains unanswered, it means we ask for God’s blessing “with wrong motives” (James 4:3). It’s worth mentioning that what we pray for might be different from God’s plan for us.
When our requests align with God’s will, God answers and grants our prayers. God’s “mighty power” will help us to “accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT). The Bible says, “What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” (Proverbs 10:24 ESV).
As there are worries in your mind, stop worrying because “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27b, NASB). The Bible says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them” (Psalm 34:17). In Isaiah 41:10, it says “[D]o not fear, for I am with you.” God “will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10). Stick to the right things and God will be with you. And you will have God’s help. Be observant to the happenings and messages around us. Odds are, when God sent his answers to us, we ignore it or resists it. Cast your anxieties on God because God cares us (1 Peter 5:7). Be not anxious for future or the unknown. Find refuges under God’s wings (Psalm 91:4–6 ESV).
Chances are, what we pray has something to do with wrong desires or wrong motives. In the Bible, it says, “Do not be conformed to this world [….] discern what is the will of God” (Romans 12:2). Study God’s words from Bible. So, we know how to live our lives. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16b, NLT). To be the righteous person in God’s eyes, we’d better practice the 7 heavenly virtues and avoid the 7 deadly sins every single day.
