James 4:3 *"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts*".
I have told this story about me several times but I need to say it again to buttress my message.
In my final year, I considered a beautiful and fair lady for marriage. She was just beautiful like a model. Her physique got into my head. I did not discern her spirit.
Though, I became fond of another sister who was very spiritual but I had a revelation about her that quenched my desire. I focused on getting this other lady but I did not hear the Lord until one day when I was returning from the lab and I heard God say to me: why do you want to marry sister xxx?
I couldn't answer that question because my desire was driven by lust. Now, let's imagine I was praying and disturbing God to give her to me by fire by force (as we say in Nigeria), it would mean that I was asking the Lord to give me what was not in His will for my life. Also, it would mean that lust was praying through me.
Do you know that one can have a good prayer point yet it is the flesh that is asking for it? Before you disagree on this, let me clarify what I mean.
For instance, it is common to hear many believers pray this way: Lord use me. Isn't it a good prayer? Sure, it is but do you know that the desire for fame and wealth in ministry can be the reason some pray that prayer? Yes, it is possible.
A young man may pray that prayer after seeing the protocol around an older minister, his SUV vehicle and entourage. Instead of asking God for cars and glamour, the flesh can say, "Lord use me", referring to what he saw not the actual meaning of that prayer.
As an aside, older preachers who have grown in influence must be careful about what they say and display on media. It can stir inordinate desire and unbiblical prayer points among younger minister. In a world where the metrics for success is about wealth&fame, one must tread carefully.
Lust can pray good prayers through a man. The flesh can pray good prayers through a carnal man even with heavy flowing tongues backing it. The spirit of competition can pray through believers.
Some are praying for what they desire because they want to show someone in their church, family or neighbourhood that they have arrived. I have heard such prayer points.
Unfortunately, when God xray our hearts, the moment he sees that the source of our request is not in alignment with His will, He witholds answers.
The posture of the heart matters a lot in prayers. If the motive is good and in alignment with his will, He will not withold answers.
1 John 5:14 says, *"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us*".
Let me ask, what is praying through you?
Father, help me to pray aright. Let your Spirit& your will pray through me in Jesus name.