Prayer: Praying According to God’s Will

The topic today is praying according to God’s Will. We who pray often pray in times of conflict and turmoil. We pray for God to remove the conflict and turmoil. We pray for God to change our present circumstances. We pray that God will increase our finances and prosperity. We pray that God give us what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. Does this sound familiar?

First, many are guilty of praying only when we are in conflict or turmoil. Why is that? If we are not willing to throw our selves at the feet of the Lord in prayer when times are good, thanking Him for all that He has done to make times good, what gives us the idea that we have the right to throw our selves at His feet, begging for His mercy and deliverance during tumultuous times? Does God yearn to hear from us only during times when we are in trouble? Of course not! He created us to have an ongoing relationship with Him during the good times as well as the bad times.

Another thing is how do we know that our will is in alignment with God’s will? Could it be possible that God’s will is a greater and more perfect will than our own? Of course it is! Could it be that we are thrown into conflict and turmoil so that we can grow in faith and dependence upon God? How often have we prayed for God to deliver us from chaos that we have created for ourselves? My answer to that question is, quite honestly, way too many times. However, I have learned the importance of praying according to God’s Will. Even Jesus was not exempt from praying in God’s Will. What? What do you mean?

Matthew 26:39 “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.‘” (NASB95) The emphasis in bold is mine.

Here, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane and asking God to allow Him (Jesus) to live if it is possible. But then Jesus goes on to say “not as I (Jesus) will” but “as You (God the Father) will.” It is clear that Jesus did not want to die. Yet, He submitted to the will of the Father and died a vicarious death that we can live righteous in the sight of God.

John 6:38 (NASB95)

38  “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Matthew 6:9–10 (NASB95) Emphasis in bold is mine.

9  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

10  ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

A wonderful characteristic of God’s people is that they align their will to God’s will. How do you do that? You soak up the Bible. Read the prayers in the Bible. Notice how they are structured. Notice the prayers in Psalms. Pay special attention to the prayers of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John. Yes, God does want to bless us. We are His children. However, are we obedient children or are we rebellious? How can we, as Christians, say that we love God and do not show any indication that we love His Word?
To be serious about prayer demands being in the Word and exhibiting a submissive heart to God’s will. How is one to know what God’s will is if they do not know His Word? Praying in accordance to God’s Will is a way of being confident that God hears your prayers. Remember what I showed you in corporate prayer regarding IF the people do THIS, THEN I will do THIS? That works in private prayer as well.

I will discuss praying in accordance to God’s Will a little further next week.

Until then, God Bless!

In His Grip,

Lonnie Richardson

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