I am a weak prayer!

This morning I woke to a prayer. Last night I feel asleep to a prayer. It was the same prayer.

I have a theory... though it's a theory, it based on scripture and miracles I've seen in my own life...

How often do we hear, "Pray and He will answer prayers!" I have to disagree... and often that disagreement has led me to be weak in my prayers. James 4:3 says, When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Bare with me here. I am trying to make a point. 

I don't think God would be a God to give us WHATEVER we ask, because we are but sinners saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8). Thus, the human mind can request just about anything of God... and surely things that would not Glorify God... Remember God answers prayers so that He will be glorified. (See my last post here)

So if this is true, then just maybe those of us who have desires that could be Glorifying to God are not praying big enough. Does that make sense? 

1 John 5:14-15 says, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. Soooo.... are you praying God's will be done? Or are you praying, "Please God answer the desires of my heart, if I am in your will. And if I am not in your will, please show me how." 

I think of it like this... If Aniela were to come to her very loving father, Toby, and say daddy, "Can you please let your will be done?" Toby would probably not really know what she is talking about (and though God knows everything, I am pretty sure He likes it when we ask). So... Like God (the Father), perhaps Toby would feel more needed, appreciated, if Aniela came to him and said, "Daddy I really want that convertible." LOL. 

I am sure, because I know my hubby pretty well, Toby would do whatever he could to get that car for his baby girl, because he loves her that much! I am just sayin'! 

…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

God, the Father, sees our needs, He knows our hearts. We are called His children... so maybe, just maybe we're praying too small of prayers. 

I know I have been.

I've been asking God for His will in my current situation. Yet, He alone has put all the pieces together, already; except for one! The biggest of all the details. We have already been approved. We have a down payment. We have a little extra for the things we need to clean up around here and there. And the smaller details like insurance etc. have already been more than a blessing. The only thing we're waiting on is the current bank to approve the offer. 

What if God just wants to hear, "God, you know the desire of my heart is to have a home to raise my beautiful family. This home you've put at our feet (literally) seems to be perfect for us now. Could you please show your favor and answer the desire of my heart?" 

 I don't know but it doesn't sound far fetched that just maybe God is more a Father (always providing for his children, in every way) than a selfish God who wants everything His way. We are created in His image, right (Genesis 1:27)? And God is a jealous God; not for His own reasons, but for ours... He is jealous FOR US (Deuteronomy 4:24). 

All I am saying, is just perhaps, we need to petition our God for what we desire. After all, He put those desires in our hearts. 

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (Psalm 37:4)