Spiritual Warfare: 'Selfishness Hinders Prayer'

God's Power for Our Battles — Monday, November 9, 2026

You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.
— James 4:3 AMP

Today's Prayer

Lord, forgive me for my selfishness. I know my prayers have reflected this. I have come to You in prayer day after day asking for a new list of wants-like You are just my Santa in the sky. I’m so ashamed of that now, and I ask You to help me change. Help me to pray as a soldier for the cross of Christ, anxious to accomplish Your list instead of my own. Use me, my talents, my resources, and my abilities to fulfill YOUR agenda each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

ASK!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, James, my half brother, hit the nail on the head when he taught about why My people lack so many of the simplest and yet most..."
SpiritFire: Ask!
Article by Phil Ware
Why do we not ask for something God longs to give? Phil Ware begins a four week challenge that coordinates with the SpiritFire daily devotional challenging us to invite the Holy Spirit into our daily lives.
Humbly Yield Control
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Yesterday I talked to you about letting the Spirit lead the dance of your life. Today, I want you to notice what happens when a person..."
Teach Us to Pray 09: Recalibrating Need
Article by Phil Ware
Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.
See All 6 Related Resources about James 4:3

Illustration

Illustration of James 4:3 AMP — You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, November 9, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Exodus 8:28
"This is a crafty word from the lip of the arch-tyrant Pharaoh. If the poor bondaged Israelites must needs go out of Egypt, then he bargains with them...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord's Promises are Pure'
"The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. There, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Blessings of Faithfulness' (Ga. 1:16-2:10)
"Dear Father, Today, Father, may the Lord Jesus meet us on our Damascus Road. May he disclose himself to us for who he is, the Lord of Glory. May he....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Philippians 2:4
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare