Today : Pray According To His Will
TODAY’S VERSE
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” I John 5: 14-15 (ESV)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
John shares a very significant secret about praying. If we want to see answers to prayer, then we need to pray according to God’s will. It sounds like circular logic, but is it? Think about it. Jesus came to do what? The will of His Father. He said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” Why should we be any different? But, you say, “I’m not Jesus.” How true, but again, what did Jesus say? He said, ‘“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. – He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” But this is different than our normal way of praying. We need to learn to pray according to His will. It is like watching a sports game for the first time. You don’t understand anything. But what happens after you start to play? You start to understand what is going on and you get better and better at it. Likewise, God invites us to JOIN Him in His work in this world. Let’s get to know Him. Let’s spend time with Him. Instead of just praying, let’s ask God, “Father, how do You want me to pray? What is Your will in this matter? How can I join You in this?” As we seek His will and learn to wait on Him, we will grow in confidence and He will give us the direction we need. He will answer our prayers.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, teach me to pray. More than that, teach me what to pray. I want to do Your will. I want to join You in Your work. As I seek Your will, show me what to pray. I want to ask according to Your will. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
I join God in prayer
As you quiet your heart visualize yourself praying. However, you are not praying for others, you are asking God to show you what to pray. Sense how it is different it seems to ask God what to pray. But then see God’s pleasure in your inquiry and Him sharing with You His will in the situation. Feel the deep pleasure in joining God in doing His will and seeing your prayers answered. Meditate on this and let the meaning sink deep into your heart. Join God in praying His will.