Ask God For What You Want

"... You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2-3 (NIV)

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote to the scattered believers in Christ and told them that they have not because they ask not.  He also said that what they asked for, they did not receive it because they asked for things for the wrong reasons. 

We have not because we ask not.  We should ask God for what we want.  Jesus told His disciples that whatever they asked for in His name, they would receive.  (John 14:13, 14:14, 15:16, 16:23, & 16:24)  We are disciples of Christ, so that also applies to us today.  There are, however, times when we ask for things and do not receive them.  That is because we ask for things to increase our worldly pleasures.  Jesus said that He would do what we ask in His name so that He could give glory to God, The Father. (John 14:13)  If what we ask for is not designed to give God glory, we should not be surprised when we do not receive it.  God may choose to bless us with the desires of our heart, things which may not give Him glory, if we delight in Him, in His way, and in His Word.  (Psalms 1:2, 37:4, & 112:1)  So, ask God for what you want, you just may get it.