Prayer

1 John 3
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Maybe you want a nice house, in a good neighborhood, with good schools for the kids. But, you can't afford it. Should you try really hard to live righteously, and pray for it?

No.

If you consider the above passage, and meditate upon it, at length, your focus will shift, and you will want to live righteously, you will want to live the Christian life and all that that entails. You will shift your focus to the glory of God, and you won't be craving that nice house. And, with patience, you may find that peace, which passeth all understanding.

Now, if God wants you to live in that nice house, so be it. He will give it to you. But, that's His business. Not yours.

So, the simple rule is, Don't pray for junk, and stupid stuff....

Psalms 34
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.