James 4:3

God's Word

When you pray for things, you don’t get them because you want them for the wrong reason—for your own pleasure.

Cross References

1 Kings 3:11

God replied, “You’ve asked for this and not for a long life, or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies. Instead, you’ve asked for understanding so that you can do what is right.

Job 35:12

Then they cry out, but he doesn’t answer them because of the arrogance of ⌞those⌟ evil people.

Psalm 18:41

They cried out for help, but there was no one to save them. They cried out to the Lord, but he did not answer them.

Proverbs 1:28

“They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me,

Proverbs 15:8

A sacrifice brought by wicked people is disgusting to the Lord, but the prayers of decent people please him.

Proverbs 21:13

Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:27

The sacrifice of wicked people is disgusting, especially if they bring it with evil intent.

Jeremiah 11:11

This is what the Lord says: I’m going to bring a disaster on them that they can’t escape. Although they will cry out to me, I won’t listen to them.

Jeremiah 11:14

Jeremiah, don’t pray for these people. Don’t cry or pray for them. I won’t listen when they call to me for help in times of trouble.

Jeremiah 14:12

Even if they go without food, I won’t listen to their cries for help. Even if they sacrifice burnt offerings and grain offerings, I won’t be pleased with them. But I will destroy these people with wars, famines, and plagues.”

Micah 3:4

Then you will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer you. He will hide his face from you at that time because you have done evil things.

Zechariah 7:13

“When I called, they wouldn’t listen. So now when they call, I won’t listen, says the Lord of Armies.

Matthew 20:22

Jesus replied, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m going to drink?” “We can,” they told him.

Mark 10:38

Jesus said, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive?”

Luke 11:10

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

Luke 15:13

“After a few days, the younger son gathered his possessions and left for a country far away from home. There he wasted everything he had on a wild lifestyle.

Luke 15:30

But this son of yours spent your money on prostitutes, and when he came home, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

James 4:1

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you?

1 John 3:22

and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

1 John 5:14

We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval.