You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:3
Every Christmas, letters are written to Santa also known as Father Christmas. Each writer is filled with anticipation at the prospect of all they ask being given to them.
This is similar to how we all lay our requests before our Heavenly Father. Yet, unlike Santa Claus, God is not looking at our good deeds alone, He is looking at the greater good of every request brought before Him.
Sometimes we may be asking repeatedly with no response from God and so we need to reflect. If God was to grant our requests, would we use it to glorify His name or for our own selfish ambition?
If our request is for the glory of the Lord, we should continue to hold on to it like never before, with the understanding that God works for the good of those who love Him. Examples like Hannah, Father Abraham, and Sarah, teach us that although our prayers may not be answered at first, God’s appointed time is the best!
