Is it ok to pray to God asking for stuff?

Question

Or is praying only for asking Gd to help other people? Or both?

Answer 1

It is human nature to be greedy and demanding like little spoiled children. But it not what God wants to hear all the time--"gimme gimme gimme whah whah whah." Is that what you want to hear from your children?

God is not some giant "stuff" dispenser waiting to give you your latest wish list of cash, cars, boats, clothes, and mansions.

He wants you to talk to Him, to be in fellowship with Him. The way a child is supposed to love a parent--with respect. When the Bible talks about fearing God, it is not talking about cowering fear. A better translation would be "reverential respect" or a "wholesome dread of displeasing Him."

Follow the ACTS formula for prayer and you will be more on track. A--Adoration=worshipful praise of the creator of the universe. He who spoke into existence all that exists. C--Contrition=sincere repentance and confession of your sins against Him. T--Thanksgiving=for all that He has given you, done for you, is for you, most especially for Jesus who came and paid the price of our sin debt thus making it possible for us to pray to the Father in the first place. S--Supplication=asking your heavenly Father for the things you truly need. Ask for the spiritual blessings you need. He wants to give you what you really need. He doesn't object to you having physical possessions but He will not give you stuff that is going to get between you and Him.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.--Matthew 6:33 Read the whole chapter 6 at: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=6&version=31

If you pray in this manner I think you will find your priorities more in order and more effective.

Answer 2

God's word says "you have not because you ask not." Sounds to me like He wants us to ask him for stuff.

There is this personal story I will share with you about asking God for something. My family and I needed a new van for my daughter's wheelchair. We always have family devotions. We had been praying for a van and nothing was happening. I heard a teaching on being specific in our prayers so I suggested before out nightly prayer that we each pick one thing we wanted in a van and we would ask God for that. My husband wanted a 318 big block Dodge engine. My daughters wanted a blue or white van. I wanted power steering and brakes. My son wanted bucket seats and a decent radio. We asked God for those specific things.

The next day, I went to make my husband's car payment. While standing on the lot talking to the owner a rollback pulled on the lot with a blue and white Dodge Van on it. It had bucket seats, a good radio, a 318 big block engine, and power everything. Don't tell me that God doesn't want us to ask for what we want. I won't believe you.

Answer 3

Anything that you want, ask God he will supply all your need and wants.

The problem with asking God for things(temporal) is that sometimes we ask, but we ask amiss, allow me to explain, waking up one morning and asking God (praying) for $1,000,000.00, it won't just make it happen, think about it, what do you want a million dollars for? who are you going to help with it?
Here's another.
Asking God to kill your enemies, some Christians call it praying a "Bad Prayer", and they rationalize it, by saying that King David did it in the book of psalms. A lot is lost in translation, I won't get into that now. As Christians we must all face persecution, in all its forms.

You can also pray to God asking Him to teach you how to pray.

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with praying and asking for stuff or for asking God to help others. I pray to him regular asking that the companies I interview with will hire me.

Right now I have been getting not now answers.

Answer 5

Yes! Pray for yourself and for others, for anything and everything that's in your heart. God loves you and wants to hear from you. Of course, you'd be barking up the wrong tree if you asked Him for a diamond necklace or lots o' money, but if it's something you need, ask! And then trust Him!

Answer 6

God wants to hear all of your requests whether for you, for someone else, or just telling Him about how you feel at that moment or about your day. He's always listening. Just talk to Him like you would your best friend with the respect that you give your parents. Give Him all your requests, but don't always expect to get the answer you want. Remember, He will always do what He knows is the best thing for you or someone else, not what you may think is the best thing for you or someone else.

Answer 7

You can pray to heal to the sick.

You can pray for god to eliminate world hunger.

You can pray for a new car and a mansion with 12 swimming pools.

You can pray for whatever you want, but, you'll just be wasting your time, prayer doesn't work.

Answer 8

Yes! In the Bible, God's Word, God tells us at 1 John 5:14-15 - "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us." Notice that God hears our prayers which are in harmony with his will. How can we know what God's will is? We can find out in God's Word.

If you would like further information, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 9

Yes, you can pray to God on behalf of yourself; remember that Jesus did that in the garden of Gethsemane... but remember, Jesus also asked that God's will be done, so when you pray for yourself, it's helpful and wise to ask God to help you accept God's will and not insist on your own.
Peace.

Answer 10

I'd say asking for stuff is kind of odd. He's not Santa Clause. Asking for help, stength ect seems to be most peoples limites. Of course I am no priest.