James 4:2b - Petitions In Prayer

You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2b (NIV)

No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying.
[A. E. McAdam; Streams in the Desert by Cowman]

No matter how terrible the crisis or how complex life's problem, God has a
solution waiting to be activated by prayer. [Prayer Warriors by Ron
Halvorsen]

So often we simply neglect to look for the answers to what we have asked,
which shows the lack of earnestness in our petitions. A farmer is never
content until he reaps a harvest; a marksman observes whether or not his
bullet has hit the target; and a physician examines the effect of the
medicine he prescribes. Should a Christian be any less careful regarding the
effect of his labor in prayer?
Every prayer of the Christian, whether for temporal or spiritual blessings,
will be fully answered if it meets certain biblical requirements. It must be
prayed in faith and in accordance with God's will. It must rely on God's
promise, be offered up in the name of Jesus Christ, and be prayed under the
influence of the Holy Spirit.
God always answers the general intent of His people's prayers. He does so
not only to reveal His own glory but also to provide for the Christian's
spiritual and eternal welfare. Since we see in Scripture that Jesus Christ
never rejected even a single petitioner who came to Him, we can believe that
no prayer made in His name will be in vain.
The answer to our prayer may be coming, although we may not discern its
approach. A seed that is underground during winter, although hidden and
seemingly dead and lost, is nevertheless taking root for a later spring and
harvest. Bickersteth
Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith; they also give us
opportunities to honor God through our steadfast confidence in Him even when
facing the apparent denial of our request. Charles H. Sturgeon [Streams in
the Desert by L. B. Cowman]