*WRONG PATTERN OF PRAYER.*(Series 12) *Scripture Reading:* James 4:3 *"You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires."*(AMP) God who loves us won’t allow Himself to be used to serve envy and ambition. *He wants us to bring our requests and petitions to Him with a spirit of humility, right motive in boundary to His will and trust.* God wants us to trust Him in allowing Him to give us the good He has for us as a gift in His perfect time. We should not pray according to the world standard which can cause conflicts and strive. *As Christians, we shouldn’t do whatever it takes to get what we want in this life even if it hurts other people, but we should acknowledge that all our plans are dependent on God, and He can change them at any moment.* CONCLUSION: As you can see from scriptures from the previous series, there are numerous reasons why Christians fail to receive. Perhaps you can identify some of these reasons as to why you are failing to receive answers. It is not entirely the idea that “if you had more faith you would receive.” There are probably more reasons than these five, but if you can work on these, I believe you will see more success in your prayers. 1. Let us become more persistent in asking, seeking, and knocking. (Luke 11:5-8) 2. Let us refine our prayers so that we are not asking for the wrong things--asking amiss. 3. Let us strive to grow in knowledge of the Word that we are not destroyed because of lack of knowledge. Good morning and do have a great day, peace. *Prayer point:* Holy Spirit, give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the image of you so that I can know the will of the father in Jesus Christ name. Amen! T.S. AFOLAYAN