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James 4:3

These Christians suffered inner tensions and conflicts because they refused to pray correctly. In their feverish struggle to get what they wanted, they had drifted so far away that they no longer took the time to talk to Him about it. James says, "YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK WRONGLY". No wonder a man filled with evil desires, envy, and hatred cannot pray. Even when they were performing the ritual of prayer, James says, “YE ASK AND DO NOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE YOU ASK WRONGFULLY.” Self-centered prayers that ignore God’s will do not result in lasting satisfaction. Had they prayed sincerely, God would have helped them. He would have changed their wrong desires. It is impossible to maintain a self-centered spirit in the presence of God. The closer we get to Him, the more we are inclined to say, “NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, BE DONE” (Luke 22:42). But until we pray in the right way and surrender, we will continue with the inner war, the outer conflict, and complete unhappiness.