James 4:3

Even prayers go unanswered when offered with selfish motives. God will not subsidize cravings aimed only at our pleasures.

Cross-references · 23

• 1 Jn 5:14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
• 1 Jn 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
• Jas 1:6–7But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
• Jas 4:1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
• Prov 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
• Mic 3:4Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
• Ps 66:18–19If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
• Job 35:12There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
• Zech 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
• Luke 16:1–2And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
• Job 27:8–10For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
• Prov 21:13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
• Matt 20:22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
• Mark 10:38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
• Luke 15:13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
• Prov 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
• Prov 1:28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
• Jer 11:14Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
• Isa 1:15–16And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
• Ps 18:41They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
• Jer 14:12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
• Jer 11:11Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
• Luke 15:30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

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