Prayer and Motive

This verse raised a deep question about our prayer life. Why do we pray? James says that a great deal of prayer is in vain because the motive is wrong.
Gamma 3:8-18, Roam 8:26, James 4:13, Luke 14:16-20

I: What Then is Motive?
1. “That within the individual rather than without, which incites him to action.” Latin — “motto” means “to move.” Noun “locus” means “place.” Something that moves us from place to place.
2. A motive is that in our experience that moves us from place or to action.
3. Motives can bring sickness no doctor can cure.

II: Jesus Continually Looked For Motives.
1. he knew men could be as white and as filthy as painted tombs.
2. The men that brought the women taken in adultery. John 8:3-9
3. The woman at the well wanted to argue religion. John 4:1-25
4. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time.” Kill and hate, adultery and a look. Matt. 5:21-22. “Speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me.” Take heed of covetousness. Like 12:13-15.

III: Can One Know His Motives?
1. The bible insists that we may not always know. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jar. 17:9.
2. Look around you at the professed motives of men!!
a. Why do men vote the party ticket?
b. Why was that dinner engagement refused? (I’ve bought a piece of land).
c. Why does this person speak so well against certain sins?
3. We need help! “For we know not how to pray.” Rom. 8:26

IV: Ways We Deceive ourselves:
1. Compensation. (Blustering noises while scared to death. Like a big man facing a serious operation).
a. Compensation transfers our weakness to others and then optimizes, as we see them in others.
b. Kidding ourselves or throwing up a “camouflage”.
c. Cemetery-Sleeping, while lies.
2. Tragedy is, stark reality will sooner or later overtake us.

V. Prayer Will Help Us Discover Our Real Motives.
1. Sincere prayer will keep us from self-deception or self deception will keep us from prayer.
2. If Christ is the center of our prayer we will not pray self-centered prayers.
3. When we see Christ we see our own selves. (Peter)
4. Prayer cleanses motives.
5. Prayer is the cure for dishonesty; it helps us classify our motives. (The man with the paralyzed arm and the judging of the tax return figures).

The “Squalls.” “Love lifted me.”