vs 1-3 are a series of rhetorical questions and chain of thoughts to lead us into understanding the root of our problems. Why God doesn't answer some of our prays and why do terrible things still happen to us?

James states clearly in vs. 3-5 that it is because we ask for things based on our own worldly desires and not according to God's desires. We're conflicted because we cannot act in the best interests of both God and the world, and have to decide on serving one or the other (xref. Matthew 6:24).

James 4:1-5