Ministry of Grace Church

You ask and do not receive, because you ask badly, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

Truth to Learn

Selfish prayers usually go unanswered, and when they are answered the way we want, we usually regret it later.

Behind the Words

The word “ask” is translated from aiteō, which specifically refers to a request by someone made to another who is superior, like a beggar from a giver, a child from its parent, or any person from God. In James’ usage here it is clearly referring to someone asking to receive something from God. This verb, as well as the verb translated “receive,” are present, active, indicative verbs, indicating current continuous action (you are continually asking and continually not receiving).

The second word translated “ask” is also a form of aiteō. This occurrence, however, is in the present tense, middle voice, and indicative mood. The middle voice implies something done by the subject (you) to or for the subject (you). Hence, it could be translated as “you ask for yourselves.”

The adverb “badly” is translated from the Greek word kakōs, which means “badly” or “in an evil manner.” And the word translated “pleasures” here is the same as in James 4:1, hedone (sensual pleasure, enjoyment, or gratification).

“Squander” is from dapanaō, which literally means “to spend.” When used in a negative sense, as it is here, it means “to consume, to waste, or to squander.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse James said that the reason we don’t have things is because we don’t ask. Now he’s telling us that when we do ask we still don’t receive them because we are asking for the wrong reasons and with the wrong motives. Here is a literal translation of this verse:

You are continually asking and not receiving because you are continually asking for yourselves in an evil manner, that you might waste it on your sensual pleasures.

Once again, we see James’ politely in-your-face style portrayed here. He does not sugar coat the truth, and he does not dance around the issue. The reason that our prayers to God are not being answered, he says, is that we are focused on ourselves. We are selfishly asking God for things that will give us pleasure! We often tell God (and even fool ourselves into believing) that we have needs for which we seek His help. In reality, though, these needs are usually nothing more than selfish desires for comfort and pleasure.

God is certainly concerned for our needs but not for our pleasure. He never promises us pleasure, he promises us peace. There’s a big difference between these two!

When we pray, it should be for things that will ultimately glorify God, not things that give us pleasure. If the answering of our prayers causes praise and glory to be ascribed to God, He is likely to respond favorably. If the prayer is simply for our own comfort or pleasure, He is likely to respond negatively.

Sometimes, however, God does answer our selfish prayers. But in such situations we usually don’t get the results we were looking for. Instead, we get pain and or suffering and God uses these trials to help us grow. This may very well be the source of the old adage, “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.”

Application

Do you keep a prayer list? If you do, get you list out right now. If you don’t, then take a few minutes to write down the things that you have been praying for lately. Now look through your list carefully and critically. How many of these prayers are for your own selfish comfort or pleasure, and how many of these things will result in God receiving glory and praise? (Ouch!)