Topic: Praying In Line With God’s Will and Purpose [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 13 August 2021
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Above Only Devotional
Friday, August 13, 2021
Praying In Line With God’s Will and Purpose
James 4:3-4 (AMP)
[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.
Child of God, it is important that we have pure motives for everything that we pray about. Why exactly do you want and you are praying about? Is it because you know that God wants you to have that thing or is it for some other selfish or carnal reason? Do you want to show off
or hurt someone? What type of values are you allowing to influence you and drive your life and your prayers? Beware of all manners of lust, greed and covetousness. Always remember that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things that he possesses (Luke 12:15). Life is about knowing God and doing His will. Also remember that comparing yourself with others is unwise (2Cor.10:12).
Let your desires be borne out of your relationship and fellowship with God. Consistently yield yourself to the leading and guidance of God’s Spirit and not to your flesh. God wants what is best for you. God’s plans for you are plans of good and not of evil; to bring you to an expected end (Jer.29:11-13). Pray in line with God’s plans for your life. Pray in line with the word of God. Trust in God and wait on Him. Psalms 37:4-7 (GNB) implores us to, “Seek your happiness in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desire. Give yourself to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you; he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun. Be patient and wait for the LORD to act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans.”
Do not desire evil for anyone that Jesus has died for. Your desire should be to save and restore people as God also desires and not to destroy their lives (Luke 9:51-56). Pray prayers that are motivated by the love of God (Matt. 5:44). Lead with love always.
Action Point:
Pray as you are led by the Spirit for every desire on your heart. Declare God’s word as you pray and also pray for others.
