Article December 19, 1994 Issue

Prayer—perceiving present good

Raymond Mathews

When something is wanted in the course of everyday life, many people believe that all that has to be done is to petition God to supply it. Yet they often find that such prayer is not answered. The Bible tells us: "... ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:2, 3). The New English Bible puts it this way, "You do not get what you want, because you do not pray for it. Or, if you do, your requests are not granted because you pray from wrong motives, to spend what you get on your pleasures."

Right motives are vital if prayer is to be effective. For instance, when God asked Solomon what should be given him, the king asked for an understanding heart to judge the people fairly. The request pleased God because Solomon had not asked for riches, long life, or mastery over his enemies. God gave the king superlative wisdom (for which the king became renowned) and, in addition, riches and honor (see I Kings 3:5–14). And, of course, in his Sermon on the Mount, Christ Jesus told his listeners to seek, first and foremost, the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Thereafter would emerge the things God knows man has need of (see Matt. 6:31–33).

It is better not to seek, or "hanker after," earthly things. There is no greatness in material things. We can trust that God, our Father-Mother, makes bountiful provision for all the requirements of His own beloved offspring. Acknowledgment of God's constant spiritual provision reveals, or brings to view, that which is needful in our present experience.

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