"… yet ye have not, because ye ask not." (Jam 4:2)
There are certain blessings we can pray for which we know are God’s will, and others that aren’t so clear. Spiritual maturity, for example is God’s will for sure. It's always the Lord's will that His children over time grow in Christian maturity. A particular job that we desire however, may or may not be God’s will. We really can’t tell without hearing from God. When we understand that the goal of prayer is not to accomplish our own will (and get what we want), but to please God, then we start to understand why there are so many things we ask for but don’t receive! Then we also understand that there are many things that we don’t receive simply because we didn’t ask for them – because we spend too much time pleading to God for our selfish desires.
One of the most misquoted verses in all of scripture is Matthew 21:22:
"And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." (Mat 21:22)
Prosperity preachers have twisted this into: “You can have whatever you want!” All the while they forget to read another verse, (lesser quoted, but just as true):
"You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts." (Jam 4:3)
Do you see that? There are things that you can ask God for but not receive. What things are they? These are the things you want just for yourself – to satisfy the lust of your flesh.
If God will not always grant us the worldly things we ask for, then what are the promises of Matthew 21:22 and Matthew 7:7 all about? We will receive everything we ask for which is God’s will, guaranteed.
"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1Jo 5:14)
The angels in Heaven must be shocked at the mountain of blessings left unredeemed simply because God’s children do not ask for them. Spiritual qualities like wisdom, love, faith, contentment, joy, peace, love, deliverance, endurance, zeal, patience, and even the Holy Spirit Himself. God has these wonderful spiritual blessings for us in great abundance ready to give for those who ask. Instead, too much of our time is wasted asking for trifles - material and temporary blessings. If we'd just do the simple task of asking for these things, our walk with the Lord would not be so dull and unproductive. We could be done with backsliding forever! Can you believe it? All we have to do is ask!
"For what father of you, if the son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake for a fish? Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
Notice how in the verse above Jesus applies it only to those who ask for the Holy Spirit. God only applies this principle to people who are asking for the right things and who desire God's will to be done. Consider Solomon. God said he could have whatever he asked for. This man didn’t waste his one wish on things of this life. And see how God commended him!
"And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, nor honor, nor the life of your enemies, nor yet have asked for long life but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may judge My people, over whom I have made you king; wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, nor shall any after you have the like." (2Ch 1:11-12)
If we knew the value of spiritual blessing we would no-doubt be overflowing in them. If we stop laying up treasure on earth, but labor for the treasure in Heaven then God will provide what we need on earth which will aid us in our eternal endeavor.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Mat 6:33)