“If you abide in me, and My Word’s abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7). These Word’s are such a great promise filled with hope. But, does our God mean He will answer all of our prayers? Is He subject to our demands, whatever they are, and when we want them? Of course not. Why are many of our prayers not answered? Part of the answer is in His Word: “You ask and you do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3). If in His Word He says He will answer all of our prayers, and in His other Word’s He says he will not, is He contradicting Himself? “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor the Son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and He will not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). What is God then telling us on what and how to approach Him in our petitions? We are told to pray in His Will, not ours! “We have this assurance 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”. (1 John 5:14-15). John is telling us that there are prayer request that God cannot answer. They are not according to His Will and not in our best interest. He will not answer prayers that will be destructive to us, even though we cannot see it. That one important Word, His ‘WILL’, is overlooked and misunderstood all to often. The Lord Himself set this example of the priority in seeking God the Father's Will over His own. In the Lord's prayer; "Thy Will be done". And again when it came to giving His Life. "Father, if you are Willing, take this cup from me; but not my Will, but yours be done". (Luke 22:42). The next question should be: What is His Will in answering our prayer requests? Praying in the Will of God means that the prayer must be in harmony with what God has revealed to be His plan and purpose for each of us. Our prayers, requests, and petitions, must be in agreement with God’s holy and righteous nature and purpose. What we ask of Him, must be in harmony with Him, as to the best interest of ourselves and others, even though we may not fully understand why. We call this ‘faith’ and ‘trust’. Our petitions to God, therefore, are not a means to persuade a hesitant God to do something we ask for which is against His better judgment! Prayer is coming before God for the fulfillment of His Will. Before a God who delights in answering prayers. “Do not be conformed to this present world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the Will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). Paul answers it all in these Word’s. Do not conform to the world and all of it’s ways. Do not seek beyond what God will sustain us with. If we are truly seeking God in our lives, our desires will be transformed by His Holy Spirit. By this, we will understand, and be thankful, for His Will in our lives. And it is Good.
If we are weak in our faith when asking anything of Him, will that hinder His response? Consider His Word’s: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself”. (2 timothy 2:13). Yet, so many are quick to judge unanswered prayers as a lack of faith. At the very least, that is between God and each and every one of us. He alone knows motivations of our hearts.
Pray always for the knowledge of God’s Will. He will not deny this. Seek His Will in His Word. It is there. Conform our hearts and minds to His understanding. Seek His wisdom and knowledge. These are things that He tells us to do. Trust in Him always. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Let His Word’s humble us before we approach His throne, and not with commands and demands, as we think they should be answered. These are God's Word's. If anyone lacks understanding and wisdom in these, let him go before our God and seek His truths. "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him...the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord..." (Isaiah 11:2). He will in no way turn you away. If we seek the Will of God, He will reveal it to us through His Holy Spirit. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26).
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be mad known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7). As I have always said, and firmly believe, God's Will for us is better than anything we can ask for or seek, if we would just TRUST Him!
How many reading this will pray this prayer with me before our Father? Father, in Jesus' name. I lay all, and surrender all before You, with the desire to seek your Will for me above my own. To fill me with the understand of the truths of your Word to fill my heart, mind and spirit, so I may be pleasing to you in all things and all ways. I know that your Will for my life is greater than anything I can ask for. I ask this with all praise and thanksgiving in and through Jesus' Christ.
As always, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
