Is it sinful to ask God for your wants?

[Nathan98]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

 

[brinny]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

No, it's not sinful. God's Holy Spirit sifts through all of our prayers and simultaneously reiterates what is in our "heart" that may not have even been spoken, and He prays "for us". God doesn't get angry at us. He continually transforms our hearts to eventually be more mindful of what is more in sync with His own heart. The prayers that are not what we "need" He will either give us insight on why we do not need it and/or remain silent on it.

We should ALWAYS talk to Him about it, and how it feels to us when He doesn't grant us those requests.

In all of it He teaches us, and transforms us as we keep communication open with Him.

 

[Neostarwcc]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

It is not sinful, but you wont get them.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seeking His righteousness thru seeking His Kingdom will lead into wants and needs prayers

 

[paul1149]

There's a fine line there somewhere. As you ask, pay attention to the attitude of your heart. Or even better, do so before you ask. If you're not sure, at some point it's good to ask with reverence. James tells us "you have not because you ask not". But then he adds, "you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, to spend it on your pleasures". This is something we all need to be sensitive about as we move forward. The bottom line is that the Lord does want us to ask and to receive, and to bear much fruit of the good kind, but He also will "purify the sons of Levi". So start where you are and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

 

[YesMe]

When I was young, I desired badly a computer to play games, believing that it will make me very happy, and I was.Then, after some time, I found that my computer is really slow, so I could not play my favourite games, I was very sad.I told myself that when I will make my computer more powerful, I will be able to play my favourite games, and yes, my mother bought a new video card, I was very happy and so on again and again untill I understood.Material things will never ever bring a happiness that will last, just something temporary that's not even true happiness.I made this mistake many times in many situations... It was not sinful, it was a lesson from God.He says that if we seek first His Kingdom, anything we may want it will be added, but let me tell you something, when you will find the Kingdom of God, you will no longer desire anything from this world.I am not telling you to say no to all material things, I am telling you all of this to know that there is more, a lot more, unimaginable more.You can ask for wisdom, which is more precious than anything in this world and many other beautiful things... Happy birthday in advance!

 

[Catherineanne]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

It is fine to ask. Don't worry.

Perhaps pray about others and their needs first, though. And after that if you still want to ask for a new phone, go ahead.

 

[~Anastasia~]

It's not sinful to ask (though it can be sinful to covet, to be attached to worldly things, etc). Whether or not God provides them will depend more on whether it is actually good for you to have them, and only God knows the consequences of such things.

However, it is better to pray for others rather than yourself. And it is better to pray for righteousness, eternal life, prayerfulness, and spiritual benefits than for material things. But nothing is stopping you from asking for all of that.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I think that asking believing that your prayers will be answered takes a lot of soul-searching. Praying while being thankful for answered prayer reveals much about self to God so may affect the answer provided.

 

[Bluerose31]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

It is not sinful to ask for your wants. God likes to know whats on our minds. You can pray for your wants and needs. Remember to ask for your wants within reason and to remember some people don't have their needs meet, like lacking food and water. Remembering that will help you pray for your wants and needs humbly. God bless you.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

James 4:1-3

 

[1stcenturylady]

Receiving answers to prayer from God comes out of relationship. If you pray God's will out of your close relationship with God and are in-tune with His will, you will receive. But won't if you are still self-serving for God is not your Lord.

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

 

[1213]

Is it sinful to ask God for your wants?

I think it is not sinful to ask. I have understood sin basically means that you reject God. Asking something from God is not same as rejecting God.

But generally, I think people should think what they ask carefully, because it is not always best to get what people ask.

"Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:31-33

 

[Hank77]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

I don't believe that it is sinful to ask God for the things you want as long as it isn't something that belongs to someone else, coveting.
But we should always pray as Jesus did, 'your will Father'. If we always pray for the Lord's will in our lives and the lives of others, I don't know how we could go wrong.

Joh 14:12 `Verily, verily, I say to you, he who is believing in me, the works that I do--that one also shall do, and greater than these he shall do, because I go on to my Father;
Joh 14:13 and whatever ye may ask in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;
Joh 14:14 if ye ask anything in my name I will do it.

imho...
Jesus was speaking to the Apostles when He said those words. He was talking about the works that He did, they would continue to do by the power of the Holy Spirit, when they prayed in His name, and the Father would be glorified.

 

[SkyWriting]

If ye shall ask me anything in my name, that will I do. John 14:14. What I mean is praying to God to have things that aren't important, like cell phones, a tablet or a new car; the materialistic things. Is it sinful to ask for these things and instead ask for your needs? Or rather, pray for both your wants and needs? I don't want to seem like I'm testing God by doing this, because my birthday is coming up.

Let me re-phrase that so it's a bit clearer:
If ye shall ask me anything
in - my - name,
that
will I do. John 14:14

So....I picture Jesus is sitting on a donkey
headed for trial that leads to His death.....
And I am thinking of a shiny new BMW for me to ride in.....
Is my head on straight asking for the Beemer and thinking
of "the name of Jesus?"

I suggest the the "Name of Jesus" is more profound than "HoKus-Pokus!"

Think about Jesus and His life and ministry a while...
then ask in His name, and he will grant it.

Let me know if you need more clues as to what to ask for.
Answered Prayer - Steps 1, 2, 3

 

[WannaWitness]

I'm not so sure that it's necessarily sinful to ask God for something specific in the way of wants; however, we should remember that it is our needs that God promises to supply (Philippians 4:19), and sometimes what we actually want at the moment is not what He deems best for us. Earthly parents will not always give their kids everything they beg for, and it's because being good parents they know the things that are good for their children and the things that aren't. They also have to be practical about the situation at hand. The kids don't think about that at the time they're told "no", therefore, the kids naturally get upset for awhile, then they get over it and learn later on that it was all for their own good. Especially when they grow up and become parents themselves.

We can liken our Heavenly Father to an earthly father (parent) in this sense. Just like it wouldn't be a sin for a child to ask his/her parent/guardian for a fidget spinner, SIMS game, a bicycle, this, that, or whatever, it isn't a sin to ask God for a specific item we might be eyeing (and not in the way of directly asking for it, but asking God to provide a means to do it). But we also should realize that while God answers the prayers of those that are His, the answer is sometimes "no". Also, sometimes this is true of something that might not necessarily be a want for something "frivolous", but something we in our own minds deem practical (or sometimes a want that's mistaken for a need). But even then, it may not be something that God thinks will be beneficial to us at the moment and has something different in mind. In that case, the answer isn't a blatant "no", but a call to wait for God's timing to bring it to pass when and how He sees best, even if it's not they way we had expected.

And this is not to say that God minds if we have, well, something of a "treat" occasionally, provided it is morally right. It's just that there is a right perspective to put it in, and if we are getting what we need, then God will always supply it, and as always, His timing is perfect. We should all try to remember that, though I will admit that it is easier said than done.

Anyway, that's just my two-cents. I hope you all can understand what I am trying to get at.

God bless!

 

[Francis Drake]

It is not sinful, but you wont get them.

"Be it unto you according to your faith."

As your declared faith is that God won't give what you ask, then I am sure that's what you'll get from him.
ie. If you believe for nothing, you'll get nothing.

Personally, I have asked a lot of the Lord over the last 50 years, and as such I have received a whole lot.
For many decades I ran my own manufacturing business as an exercise in faith, and saw far more of God's intervention there than I ever did in church.

As an example, very recently my wife and I sought the Lord about moving house from the town we lived in. As we prayed, the Lord revealed that we should move over 300 miles away to a completely new area.
We visited that area on a number of occasions as we tried to tighten our focus on the exact location he wanted us to settle in.

Finally we decided to sell up and rent in that area till we found the right house.
We had the property agent in to value our house, and having agreed on the price he said he would send us the contract to sign within a few days.
The agent left us, and I followed him out the front door to do something. As I did so, a total stranger engaged me in conversation, and I happened to mention that I was moving house shortly.

He then immediately asked me how much I was selling it for, and without hesitating said he would buy it and he already had the funds in the bank.

So, after obeying the Lord to put the house on the market, it took all of 5 minutes to sell it to a completely passing stranger. Needless to say the agent was a little upset to lose his commission!

After renting for a while in the new area, the Lord led us to our new house with great clarity. Its a wonderful old Victorian house in a lovely remote village with five big bedrooms, bigger and better than anything we have ever had before.
Being retired now it was completely above our price range, but the Lord showed us how to buy it, and it is completely debt free.