James 4:3 - Sometimes Our Prayers are Wrong

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

--James 4:3 NASB

 

The Letter of James appears to be written for general circulation among the various communities of Jews that became followers of Jesus Christ. There is some discussion as to the author of the letter. Some attribute it to a follower named James who lived perhaps a century or more after Jesus' earthly ministry. Others attribute the letter to the Apostle James, brother of John and son of Zebedee. And still others attribute the letter to the Apostle James, the son of Alphaeus. Finally, the letter is also attributed to James, a half-brother of Jesus.

 

Jesus' half-brothers and half-sisters are mentioned in several Bible verses. Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21, and Mark 3:31-35 say that Jesus' mother and brothers came to see Him. Matthew 13:55 tells us that Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. Matthew 13:56 mentions sisters, but does not name or number them. In John 7:1-10, His brothers go on to the festival while Jesus stays behind. In Acts 1:14, His brothers and mother are described as praying with the disciples. Galatians 1:19 mentions that James was Jesus' brother. James was one those siblings that was critical of Jesus during His earthly ministry, but then became a follower after Jesus' resurrection.

 

In verse 3 the writer is answering the question of why our prayers may not be answered. First, the writer says that we do not receive because we ask wrongly, or our motivations are wrong. The Greek transliteration is "kakós," meaning physically badly or morally badly. This does not necessarily mean that we ask for sinful things. We may be asking for something that seems good to us, but may not be the best thing from God's perspective. God knows our fickle hearts. Even if we do ask rightly and we do receive, God knows that we may wrongly interpret the meaning of His blessing, or that we may use His blessing in a way other than what we intended when we prayed.

 

Second, the writer says that we sometimes ask for things out of lust. The Greek work used is "hédoné," which means to enjoy one's self, or to have personal pleasure in something. In short, this would be something that makes us feel good. The word is often translated in the Bible as "pleasure" or "lust."

 

While all potential writers of this letter would have a good understanding of these concepts of wrong motivations and personal pleasures, the half-brother of Jesus would have had a very unique perspective. As a younger brother in the household of Mary and Joseph, he would have expected that the oldest son would take on the role of provider for his family when their father died. And since we do not read anything of Joseph by the time that Jesus began His earthly ministry at the age of thirty, we can infer that Joseph had died by that time. James probably have been one of those sibling that gathered with their mother outside the house where Jesus was teaching (Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21; Mark 3:31-35). James would have been one of those asking to speak with Jesus so they could tell him to "do the right thing," as they would have seen it from the Jewish tradition.

 

When we pray, we should ask God what He wants regarding our concern. And when we pray, we should acknowledge that we still might not have it right and that the will of God should ultimately prevail. Finally, whatever comes of our prayer, we should give God the glory.

 

Father, I thank You for allowing me to bring my every care to You. Forgive me when I ask wrongly. Help me to see as You do. And whatever comes, help me to give You the glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

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