If you have listened to the typical “Christian” messages, you’ve probably heard some form of rebuke against selfish prayers. People will typically say things like “You know, God’s not a genie!” – “God’s not here to satisfy you! – He’s Lord and Master!”
Now immediately, I must say that it is true, that God is indeed Lord and Master of all. However, are we truly so ready to accept the idea that God is not the one who satisfies us (in every sense of the word)?
If God is not the one who satisfies us, then who is? Where should we look? If God is not the one who gives to us our needs, wants and desires, then who or what is left?
Do we believe that He wants us to be left unfulfilled and unsatisfied? Is that how a loving Father would treat His beloved children?
Today we are going to answer these questions in the most simple way possible: by looking at Jesus.
Now I asked a few questions in the opening that are a bit provocative. Those questions, along with the very title of this study today, are provocative deliberately. I want to highlight this particular issue, and encourage us to honestly take a step back, away from typical “religious thinking” and I want us to truly think about these issues in the light of Jesus Christ – not merely what our religious dogma and pet theologies have conditioned us to believe. And I am concerned that such things happen far too often in our modern Christian culture.
So let’s deal with the underlying issues first, and build up a solid foundation on Christ.
The first question that we must address is, does God actually satisfy us? Is that even something He’s concerned with? Because the opposition often attacks this point vehemently, stating that we shouldn’t think of God as satisfying us, and that we shouldn’t be so “worldly minded” – I mean there are hundreds of spins that can be put on the words used, but the core argument is the same. So let’s cut through the forest of man’s theology and see what God Himself says on the matter in the scriptures.
First on our list should be a couple of familiar verses if you recall our studies on Psalms 91, which is Psalms 91:15-16:
“He shall call on me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”
So right here we can plainly see that our satisfaction is not only a desire of God for us; it’s not only something that He does (and wants to do), but it’s actually a promise! And it’s tied together with Jesus. The word for “salvation” here is actually יְשׁוּעָה, Jesus is in-fact the ultimate satisfier and ultimate satisfaction. Don’t shy away from admitting this, because it doesn’t belittle God or His majesty, it actually magnifies Him and what Jesus actually came to do!
Let’s look at some more verses regarding what God says about this. Consider Psalms 22:26:
“The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.”
At this time, it should be noted that the Hebrew word for satisfy, (שָׂבַע) actually does mean exactly that: to be satisfied, satiated, fulfilled. We aren’t playing fast and loose with the definition here. And God means every word of it.
Now, notice here that the verse says they shall eat and be satisfied. What do you think that this is referring to? What shall they eat and be satisfied with? Well, Jesus Himself answers this question in John 6:35:
“And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”
Jesus Himself is our bread of life. He is our source of satisfaction, and the One who satisfies us. He says it plainly right here. Whoever comes to Him, shall never hunger. Whoever believes on Him shall never thirst.
That’s not a maybe. That’s not a sometimes you will be hungry and sometimes you won’t. No! this is an absolute never. You will never be hungry or thirsty when you come to Jesus and believe on Him.
Stop and meditate on that for a minute.
So now that we have heard multiple testimonies from God’s own mouth regarding the fact that He does indeed satisfy us, let’s now address the main point of today’s study: What about selfish prayers?
And first we must define what a selfish prayer actually is. The word “selfish” typically means “with self-interest”; concerned with yourself, or seeking your own desires.
So a selfish prayer would be a prayer that is likewise concerned with your own interest or seeking your own desires as well.
Now the question: Are selfish prayers wrong?
Many people would immediately say “yes” to that question without even hesitating or giving it a second-thought – or even a first-thought for that matter.
However we are only interested in God’s opinion on the subject; so as promised, let’s go straight to Jesus Christ. How did Jesus react when selfish requests were made of Him? Did He rebuke the one making the request? Did He send them away without satisfying their desire? Let’s take a look, starting with Luke 18:35-43:
“And it came to pass, that as he was come near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by.
And he cried, saying, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me.
And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, You son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought to him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Saying, What will you that I shall do to you? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”
Here we have a record of Jesus healing a blind man. Most people don’t think much of this beyond the obvious. Yet as we examine it – particularly verse 41, we see that Jesus gives this man an opportunity to ask for anything. He says “what is it that you will I should do to you?” That’s a very open question! What do you want? The man could’ve asked for anything! Feed the poor! Give them wealth! Stop war! Cure all the lepers! This man knew who Jesus was! At least that He could do miraculous things – the man calls Jesus the Son of David.
So with this amazing opportunity in-front of him now, what does this man ask for? Lord, that I may receive my sight.
Make no mistake here my friends… that’s the very definition of a selfish prayer. It is entirely focused on this man’s self interest, his own desire and want.
Then in verse 42 we clearly see that Jesus rebuked the man for being so selfish. Jesus turned a deaf ear and sent the man away still blind… Oh wait! Jesus didn’t do that! Jesus didn’t react the way typical religion would suggest. Instead Jesus gave the man exactly what he asked for! And the whole thing turned into a praise session as people saw another person released from the bondage of the enemy!
You see, even a selfish prayer gives God glory, because it still allows God to be God.
Now before you think that this is just one single example, that I have somehow twisted… there are many examples of what are clearly selfish and self-oriented prayers in the scriptures – all of which God granted.
David repeatedly prays for himself throughout the Psalms, for all kinds of things physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. He prays for protection from his enemies, and for justice to be done upon them, and that he would not be disgraced and humiliated by them in Psalms 35. David also prays for mental, emotional and spiritual support and healing in Psalms 51.
These are only a few of many examples.
The prayer of Jabez, recorded in 1st Chronicles 4:10, covers everything as well:
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
We see requests for self-prosperity of every kind, physical, mental and spiritual. And we see that God granted the prayer without any rebuke or fuss.
The point of all of this, is that we should always guard against allowing man’s religion, and the way that seems right, place God in a theological box, and end-up robbing us from His incredible generosity.
Jesus paid for all things to be freely given to us with Him (Romans 8:32), yet we are so quick to refuse His gifts because we are afraid of being “selfish”. But I will leave you with this final thought…
There are a great number of people recorded in the scriptures who would’ve never received their miracle, if they did not dare to be selfish and push through crowds, and yell and scream to get Jesus’ attention, and then ask for what they desired when questioned.
Would Jesus find that same boldness in His children today?
I encourage you today to not be afraid to come boldly to the throne of Grace in Christ, and find the help that you seek (Hebrews 4:16)
Be blessed.