When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasure. (James 4:3)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

The Greek word translated pleasures in James 4:3 is hēdonē, from which we get hedonism, the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. As I studied this passage, I wondered if pleasures might include comfort, ease, lack of pain and troubles. If I could examine a transcript of my prayers over the last month or year, how many of my requests stemmed from my desire for an easy life, a bed-of-roses life? That is a self-centered motive.
It isn’t wrong to share my desires with God in prayer. He is my loving heavenly Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. He has compassion on me because he remembers that I am dust. But I think He wants me, more and more, to examine the issues of my life from the perspective of His kingdom, not my comfort. He wants my prayers to increasingly reflect the motive of attaining to His righteousness, not avoiding inconvenience or pain. How about you? Spend some time examining the motives behind your prayers this week.

Here are some other suggested prayer ingredients for this week:

1. Let’s continue to mark the Sanctity of Human Life commemoration by lifting up women who have had abortions. Pray that they will know the forgiveness and freedom from guilt offered by God the Father through the death of His son, Jesus.

2. Please pray that Sylvia Mudrick will successfully complete physical therapy after recent knee replacement surgery. Debi McGready undergoes the same surgery this week. Pray for God’s hand to guide her doctor and for a full and quick recovery. Also pray for Debi’s husband, Mike, who will be handling Debi’s daycare business while she recovers.

4. Lift up our active missionaries as they cooperate with the Lord to build His kingdom around the world: the Hatchers in Vienna, the Hovivians in Dublin, the Chylkas in Poland, the Kamaus in Kenya, and the Morses in Thailand.

5. Pray for Linda Robins and the Missions Council as they plan for the second annual Serve Day in late March. Ask the Lord to go before Linda to identify worthwhile projects and opportunities for continuing involvement.

6. Lift up next Sunday’s worship services. Pray that our hearts will match the lyrics of the songs we sing, that we will absorb and live out the truths we hear from God’s word, that we will give generously, that we will extend a warm welcome to all.

7. Please pray for this blog! I am just one person; my experience is narrow, and my circle of acquaintances is limited. I need other people to share their experiences, their struggles, their knowledge of who needs prayer. Ask the Lord how you can contribute and, if He shows you something, please e-mail me by clicking the "Submit a Prayer Request" button, below.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea