07 MAY
SECRETS OF ANSWERED PRAYERS (6)
(PRAYING GOD’S WILL)
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.”
(1 John 5:14)
Yes, but we need a relationship to access God and know His will. Both Abraham and Moses enjoyed an intimate friendship with God and were known for their faith and the great miracles they experienced in their lives. James 2:23 says, “…Abraham was called the friend of God”; while Exodus 33:11 says, “…the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.”
In life, the more intimate our friendship with someone is, the more likely we are to know the person’s likes and what choices he or she would make when an issue arises. Similarly, the more intimate we are with the Lord the more likely we are to know and do His will.
Also, just as we experience in some measure with our earthly fathers, God as our heavenly Father wants to teach us, as well as give us things, especially when we ask through prayer. He desires the best for us, so sometimes the answer to our requests is “No”. However, as we become more discerning and sensitive to God’s responses, we can learn from them. Our will would always coincide with God’s will if we could see as He does.
Prayer is a means of getting more and more in synch with God’s will.
The Bible reveals God’s will to us and the Holy Spirit helps us zero in on the right mark: The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. This may be feeling and praying the need of God into our own lives. Hannah prayed the need of God for a son when God needed a prophet and judge in Israel.
God always responds positively to those who ask for His presence and power in their lives.
ACTION: Endeavour to involve God, as a friend, in the details of your life and learn to recognise and appreciate His faithfulness even in little everyday challenges and events. Develop a plan of Bible reading and prayer that works for you.
PRAYER: Teach me, Holy Spirit, to pray the will of God.