“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:2-3
The Bible teaches that we should be unselfish in our prayers. When we pray for others and pray according to God’s will, God is going to give us what we need in addition to answering our prayers. Job and Solomon are two examples of people in the Bible who prayed unselfishly and were greatly blessed for it.
“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
In the above verse, we see God turning things around for Job and greatly blessing him as a direct result of him praying for his friends.
We also have a great example of an unselfish prayer in 2 Chronicles 1:
“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” 2 Chronicles 1:7-12
Instead of asking for something for himself, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge, so that he could do right by others. This pleased God so much that he also gave Solomon riches and honor. Sometimes when we pray, God will give us things that we didn’t even ask for because the Holy Spirit steps in and intercedes for us.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26
When we pray for someone else, God is more likely to answer that prayer than when we pray for ourselves. When we do pray for ourselves, we should ask for wisdom, so that we can help others. If we are unselfish in our prayers, God just might bless us more than we could ever imagine.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Here is a sermon on prayer.
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