MOTIVE FOR THE PETITION
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:3 NIV
We have learnt that by biblical definition, the heart is the seat of emotions. The heart is where resolve is, inclination, courage, passions, memory, conscience if you will – dwell.
This makes it important to surrender it to God because He alone has the ability to safely and rightfully govern all these aspects mentioned. In our theme scripture, we see that the motive in one’s heart through prayer determines how they receive from God.
The story of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:15 is a good example. His petition seemed petty, but God answered because his motive was a noble and genuine one. He could have destroyed these armies because he had them at his mercy but he led them into a situation that made them realize their own error and cause them to never invade the Lord’s camp again.
Just as Romans 12:20 instructs us, repaying evil with kindness is like heaping burning coals on the offenders head. Such is the way to deal with all men in view of God’s mercies.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer: Father I thank you for this wisdom. I have set my affections on you that my prayers may not be hindered. Search my heart and weed out any grievous things in it that may derail me from receiving and showing mercy, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
CI.
