“Praying”is no guarantee of God answering prayers. Prayer “according to the will of God” is!

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us.And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we KNOW that WE HAVE what we asked of Him.”-(Read 1 John 5:14-15).

This is a great passage to teach us about prayer from God’s perspective, as I think that we can at times falsely believe that if we “pray” then God is obligated to answer the way we want or if we “believe hard enough” or if we get a bunch of people to pray, the more people we can get to join with us, then God is “obligated”- He has to do it!

But these verses in 1 John 5:14-15 help to keep us on the right side of the road in between the lines as it were or if we were a train, to keep us on the tracks. to base our prayers “according to the will of God!”

We find “His will” revealed in His Word! This is one reason we need to Familiarize ourselves with His Word. saturate ourselves with His Word. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. “-{Romans 12:2}

Praying According To His Will is Informed By His Word to us!-{1 John 5:14-15; Romans 12:2}

But then what if we do not know what God’s will in a matter and there is no clear reference to the issue?

We can do several thing including…

1.- ASKING GOD FOR WISDOM;

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”-{James 1:5}

2.- SEEKING GODLY COUNSEL;

“A wise person will hear and increase in learning, And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,”-{Proverbs 1:5}

3.- LOOKING FOR PRINCIPLES FROM HIS WORD REGARDING THE ISSUE TO APPLY… SUCH AS;

  • HIDING HIS WORD IN YOUR HEART TO HELP TEACH OTHERS;

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

  • DOING ALL IN ALLIGNMENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST-

Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”-{Colossians 3:16-17}

  • BECAUSE IT IS LAWFUL DOES NOT MEAN ITS BENEFICIAL–

“All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”-{1 Corinthians 10:23}

  • FOR OTHERS GOOD –

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” -{1 Corinthians 10:24}

  • GOD’S GLORY –

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”-{1 Corinthians 10:31}

4.- KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRAYING FOR YOU.

“Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because HE INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”-{Romans 8:26-28}. God provides His Spirit to pray for you and all His “saints,”…“ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD…” And this is a portionof God causing all things to work toger for good to those who love Him…” and you love Him because He first loved you.

Romans 8:26 is a great comfort. The Spirit of God is praying for you now, and always praying for you and me “according to the will of God!” 

ASSIGNMENT;

Read, Re-read…Memorize, Meditate on 1 John 5:14-15… word for word, then phrase by phrase… and know He answers prayers “according to the will of God!” As you commit to your heart the Spirit of God can bring to mind to strengthen you, assure you and guide you that God answers prayers “according to His will.” and His “will” is revealed in His Word!

God bless,

Aidan.