Why do people argue and fight? There are probably many reasons for that, but one of the main reasons is that we don’t get what we want. Someone or something gets in the way of what we want, and then we get upset.

And actually, we look for the things we want in the wrong places. The best place to look for things we really need is from God. We must kneel before God and ask Him in prayer for what we need.

²You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you?

When we ask for something in prayer, we will get it if it is to our benefit, but if it’s not good for us, chances are that we will not get it. God won’t give us anything that can harm us.

You see, we can’t see around the corner. We don’t know what tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or in a few years will look like. From here, it seems fairly good. The new job, the raise or the bigger this or that, but we don’t know its impact on our lives.

We often don’t get things, because they might lure us further away from God. Maybe our lives have become so soft that we no longer need God. But God often protects us by not giving us the things we think we need. It’s not always easy for us to come to terms with that.

Just look at all the wars going on in the world. People decided to take up weapons and invade other countries, to kill people, to take, to get what they want. At what price? In wars, there are no winners. With arguing and fighting, there are no winners.

Countries that sit around the negotiation table, talk to each other and resolve disputes in a decent way achieve much more success. When one goes to God in prayer, the chance of success is much better. Even if we don’t get what we ask for.

Instead of struggling and fighting in the world to get things, we should rather turn to God. We must ask Him to bless us on our way and give us what is good and what we need.

How do you end your prayer? Of course, we must ask everything in Jesus’ Name, but we must also say: “If it is Your will.” If you pray like this, you already have peace if you don’t receive what you requested. You are mature enough to realise that God sees further and will not give you anything that will harm you.

Let’s redirect our focus away from the world. I know it’s hard because we’re in the world, and that’s all we see. It’s hard to drive past the big bakkies, see the beautiful houses, be among the great people at work and not want to have it too.

Just make sure you take it to God instead. Ask Him what your heart desires and conclude with: “If it is Your will, Father.” Then you will receive as He will, which may be more than you expected!

Scripture
James 4:1-6

Reflection
Do you pray
Do you pray enough?
Do you also pray for others’ needs?

Prayer
Father, I just realised again that I don’t pray enough. I know that I need to spend more time with You and make my needs known to You precisely in that space. Help me to end every time with: “Just as You want it.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.