James 4:3

Contemporary English Version (Anglicised) 2012

Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.

Cross References

Job 35:12

God won't listen to the prayers of proud and evil people.

Psalm 18:41

They cried out for help, but no one saved them; they called out to you, but there was no answer.

Proverbs 1:28

You will ask for my help, but I won't listen; you will search, but you won't find me.

Proverbs 15:8

The LORD is disgusted by gifts from the wicked, but it makes him happy when his people pray.

Proverbs 21:13

If you won't help the poor, don't expect to be heard when you cry out for help.

Proverbs 21:27

The Lord despises the offerings of wicked people with evil motives.

Jeremiah 11:11

Here is what I've decided to do. I will bring suffering on the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and no one will escape. They will beg me to help, but I won't listen to their prayers.

Jeremiah 11:14

Jeremiah, don't pray for these people or beg me to rescue them. If you do, I won't listen, and I certainly won't listen if they pray!

Jeremiah 14:12

They may even go without eating and offer sacrifices to please me and to give thanks. But when they cry out for my help, I won't listen, and I won't accept their sacrifices. Instead, I'll send war, starvation, and disease to wipe them out.”

Micah 3:4

Some day you will beg the LORD to help you, but he will turn away because of your sins.

Zechariah 7:13

and said, “You people paid no attention when I called out to you, and now I'll pay no attention when you call out to me.”

Matthew 20:22

Jesus answered, “Not one of you knows what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from?” James and John said, “Yes, we are!”

Mark 10:38

Jesus told them, “You don't really know what you're asking! Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from or be baptized as I must be baptized?”

Luke 11:10

Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.

Luke 15:13

Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living.

Luke 15:30

This other son of yours wasted your money on prostitutes. And now that he has come home, you ordered the best calf to be killed for a feast.”

James 4:1

Why do you fight and argue with each other? Isn't it because you are full of selfish desires that fight to control your body?

1 John 3:22

He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.

1 John 5:14

We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him.