Prayer / James 4

As we enter a new year, we often reflect on our hopes, dreams, and goals. What does God desire from us in this fresh season? What does He want to reveal to us in this new chapter? As we sang so beautifully, if God is our friend, He knows what's best for us. He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us. A plan that gives us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). And with this hope, we can hold our heads high, trusting that God, our friend, is walking with us every step of the way.

The Drifting Driver and the Danger of Distraction

Have you ever thought you were a great driver, only to find yourself challenged by something you hadn't considered? For me, that moment came when I first drove my wife’s car. She has a lane departure warning system (LDW) in her car, which, at first, seemed like an unnecessary feature. The steering wheel vibrates and sounds like a freight train when you begin to drift out of your lane. It’s unsettling to say the least.

I thought I was a good driver, but this warning system exposed something I hadn’t realized: I was drifting, even unintentionally. And that’s where prayer comes in—it’s our spiritual lane departure warning. Just as the car alerts us when we start veering off track, prayer helps us recognize when we begin drifting away from God's will. It opens our eyes to the subtle shifts in our hearts and minds before we veer too far from the path He has laid for us.

James 4:1-10: The Source of Conflict Within

James 4:1 poses an important question: “What is the source of conflicts and quarrels among you?” In our spiritual journey, this can be reframed to ask: What causes us to drift from God? What leads us to inadvertently change lanes, or worse, begin riding the line of complacency in our faith? James gives us a profound answer—our desires, our passions, our pleasures. In Greek, the term "hedone" (from which we get "hedonism") speaks to the desires that push us to prioritize our own worldly pleasures over God's purpose for our lives.

These passions, whether for food, possessions, or recognition, can wage war within us, leading us to prioritize fleeting pleasures over eternal significance. They subtly shift our focus away from God's will, making us drift into self-centeredness. This is the quiet spiritual warfare that can take root in our hearts.

The Wrong Prayers: A Shift in Motive

James 4:3 reveals that when we ask for things with the wrong motives, God does not answer. When we pray with selfish desires—“Make me happy,” “Give me more,” or “Make me great”—we are not aligning our prayers with God’s will. These are the wrong prayers, the ones that subtly shift our focus from God's purpose to our own desires.

As we look ahead in 2025, we must ask ourselves: Are our prayers truly reflective of God’s will? Are we asking for what will bring Him glory, or for what will satisfy our own desires? God calls us to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” In prayer, we must align ourselves with His purposes, not the temporary pleasures of the world.

The Danger of Friendship with the World

James 4:4 warns that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God. This doesn’t mean we should avoid unbelievers, but it cautions us against making the world’s values our own. When we prioritize worldly pleasures above God’s call, we drift away from Him. Everything in this world pushes us toward self-fulfillment and material gain, but God desires us to live for His glory, not our own.

God is jealous for us. He desires our devotion, not our divided hearts. As we face the challenges of the world, we must remember that He alone deserves the position of priority in our lives.

The Path to Alignment: Humility, Prayer, and Transformation

So, how do we realign ourselves with God’s will? Through prayer.

In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts us, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Prayer is the primary tool God uses to transform us, to renew our minds, and to redirect our hearts when we begin to drift.

But how should we pray in 2025? First, we need to approach God with humility. We must submit ourselves to His will, recognizing that He is our Father, and we are His children. We should pray, “Not make me happy,” but “Lord, Your will be done.” When we draw near to God in prayer, He promises to draw near to us (James 4:8). Prayer reminds us that we are dependent on Him and that we cannot navigate life alone.

Prayer: A Daily Need

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask for our "daily bread." This emphasizes our daily need for God. We cannot rely on yesterday's grace; each day, we need His provision, His guidance, and His strength. As we draw near to God, He opens our eyes to areas where we have drifted, where we’ve inadvertently shifted lanes. Prayer cleanses us, purifies our hearts, and helps us realign with His purpose.

As we move into 2025, let's make a commitment to be a praying church. Not just on Sundays, but every day. Let’s humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and turn from our selfish ways. Let us pray with the right motives—praying for more of Him, not more stuff; praying for His glory, not ours.

A Challenge for the New Year

I challenge you this year to pray like never before. Realize that prayer is an opportunity to surrender control, to say, “I need You, God.” Prayer is not a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle. And as we seek God in prayer, He will exalt us—not because we demand it, but because we have humbled ourselves before Him.

Let’s commit to this year of prayer, realigning ourselves with God’s will, and trusting that He will lead us in the direction He desires for us. Prayer is the key to preventing drift and staying aligned with God’s purpose. As we embark on 2025, let’s pray that He will guide us, protect us, and lead us in His will for this year and beyond.

In Prayer, We Find Our True Direction.