James 4:3 You have asked, but God seems reluctant to give it to you, you may say. But when your motivation is to get something just so that you can squander it on yourself, you are doing it all wrong! (Mirror Bible)

Psalms 96:13 Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (KJV)

Are you asking amiss?

Are there times when you ask God for something in particular that you want? If you are being honest with yourself, are all of your requests purely for the advancement of the kingdom? Do you sometimes make a request to fulfill the lust of your flesh, the lust of your eyes, or pride in your life? Now, you might be able to justify to yourself the possibility that God could get some glory. You may even have a conversation with your friends, your prayer partner, your family members, etc. and convince them it would be such a blessing. However, you know the real reason for the request. God also knows what is in your heart. He will judge every request on its merit. There is no sense in trying to make your request into something other than what it is. Rather than trying to pretty up your wish, know that God has already given you permission to ask for whatever you want.

Philippians 4:6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Amplified Bible)

Yes, you can ask what you will. However, you have to keep in mind there is a part you play in making your requests. Your request should be what God wants for you. If you abide in the Lord, the requests you make will glorify Him.

John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart],ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. (Amplified Bible)

When you abide in Him, you spend time learning what He wants. You allow Him to show you what is best for you, even if it is contrary to what you want. Your desires stop being what gratifies your flesh and they become what edifies your spirit.

Psalms 37:4 Find your delight and true pleasure in Yahweh, and he will give you what you desire the most. (The Passion Translation TPT)

You don’t have to ask amiss. God has given you the path to prayers that reverence Him.

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (KJV)

Honor your promise when you accepted the gift of salvation. You confessed Him as Lord. Lord means He takes preeminence over your life, over your decisions and over your desires. You no longer belong to you. Everything you do and all you obtain is to be used for the glory of God. As you continue your walk with the Lord, you may make a selfish request now and again. The Holy Spirit will convict you, not condemn you, and your prayers will change.

Give God praise because He is Jehovah – Adon [ja-hō-va a-dōn ]  (LORD of lords our judge) and He will help you  purify your requests.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father God, I am amused with myself sometimes. I am sure sometimes You are and other times You are not. You have given me the ability to influence; I know it. I know it’s possible for me to have a convincing conversation with almost anyone. I can present my prayer request in such a way; they will believe and agree with me about the magnitude of the blessing. I cannot convince You. I repent for trying to. Even as I am writing, I have such conviction. You see what was in my heart, though others may not. I am forever grateful You say ‘no’ to fleshly requests. You taught me and continue to teach me; all my ideas are not spiritual ones. You have shown me when my requests don’t honor You, they will not turn out the way I envisioned and most probably will cause me pain. Often I don’t take into consideration the consequences of my requests. You showed me I can’t because I don’t have all the parts to the picture. Because I don’t have enough information, I often asked for the wrong thing and for the wrong reason. As You were teaching me, I know You will grant some of my requests. I also know You will not do what I requested because You know what’s best. Thank You for judging every petition and requiring me to ask what the ultimate goal for the desire is, why I want it, and who will benefit from it.? If I see myself at the end of my request, it is not what You would have for me. I need to make requests that honor and glorify You, the Almighty, Most High God…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.