Is God Willing?
Today’s Verse:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. ~1 John 5:14-15
Prayer is one of the great privileges of the Christian life. Through prayer, the Christian has at his availability the willingness and resources of God to perform on his behalf. Answered prayer is truly a delight to every sincere Christian. However, in very extreme and difficult situations, many Christians are uncertain as to God’s will in answering a specific prayer. They ask in their heart of hearts, “Lord, is it your will to answer this prayer request?” This morning, we want to look at this matter of prayer and the will of God.
We see the CONFIDENCE in praying.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him…” Confidence in praying is the assurance that God hears and answers our prayers. It is when our faith is in accord with God’s power that we have the assurance that the answer is on the way. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” Heb. 11:6. Faith in our praying is a persuaded belief with all our heart that God is ready and pleased to answer our prayers. It is praying where God, through His Word or through the Spirit’s voice, has rewarded your diligence in praying. It is asking God to change the unchangeable. It is asking God to make the impossible possible.
We see the CONDITIONAL in praying.
This is praying in accordance to God’s will. God’s will is that which pleases Him. It is what will glorify God the most. It is God’s best for our lives. Praying should conform us more into the image of Christ. God’s will is for sinners to be saved: we should pray for sinners to be saved. It is God’s will that we pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest; we should pray for laborers to be called and sent from our churches. God’s will is that which will accomplish the most good for His glory and honor.
We see the CONTESTING in praying.
There will be situations when our praying will seek to change the mind of God. Abraham prevailed upon God for the deliverance of his nephew, Lot. In Gen. 18, Abraham prevails upon God through importune praying. This is when we are contesting with God to see the situation from our perspective. Abraham requested God to deliver the city if ten righteous people were found in Sodom. After going back and forth, Abraham got the answer from God that he sought. In fact, he received the answer before he got off his knees. Prevailing praying is when we contest with God to change His mind.
We see the CONSEQUENTIAL in praying.
“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” First, we must know that hHe has heard us. When we are praying earnestly for God to do something on our behalf, the Spirit of God will give us the spiritual green light that our Father has answered us. I believe that praying in the Holy Ghost is a key means for getting this acknowledgement from God. The old-time prayer warriors called this kind of praying “praying through.” Second, we are encouraged to be uninhibited in our praying. The kind of praying so that God’s will is accomplished only comes through bold, audacious, and mountain-moving prayers. Jabez prayed for God to bless him and enlarge his coast. We can attain results according to God’s will through faith praying.
Don’t allow yourself to succumb to simple, thoughtless praying. Victorious Christian living includes powerful praying that accomplishes God’s will. Yes, God is willing!
Have a prayer-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 48-50