Is It According To His Will? Some people stumble over Johns phrase, according to His will. Their prayers are fearful and hesitant. They think they may not know Gods will, and thus may not expect a positive answer. They miss Johns point! John did not write to make us feel insecure or uncertain about prayer. John was emphasizing the confidence we have in approaching God. Think about all that God has revealed, which lets you know Gods will: Is it according to His will that the eyes of your heart open to know God better? Is it His will for you to know His incomparably great power for you? Certainly. God reveals his will about these things in Ephesians chapter one. Ask confidently, therefore, just as Paul asked for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:17-19). Ask, knowing that you have - that you receive and possess - what you request (1 John 5:14-15). Is it according to His will that God strengthen you with power through His Spirit? Then kneel before the Father! Ask with assurance, just as Paul did (Ephesians 3:14-19 cf. Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:19). Ask, knowing that you receive your request, even to the extent of being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God! Is it according to His will that doors open for people to hear the Gospel? Then confidently pray for God to open a door for our Message (Colossians 4:3). Pray... that the Message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Is it according to His will that you grow in the courage to share your faith? Then say with Paul, Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should (Ephesians 6:20). Is it according to His will that you not fall to temptation? Then keep watch (Matthew 26:41), and pray to God that you will not do anything wrong (2 Corinthians 13:7 cf. Matthew 6:13). Our prayer is for your perfection (2 Corinthians 13:9). Is it according to His will that righteous prayers should be offered to bring health to the sick? Then pray in faith, remembering His promise: The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up (James 5:15). Is it according to His will that peace and good order bless your nation and other nations? Then obey God by interceding for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Is it according to His will that sinners be forgiven and restored? Then confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16 cf. 1 John 5:16). Is it according to His will that you provide for your family? It certainly is! (1 Timothy 5:8 cf. Matthew 7:9-11). Then approach your Father with confidence. Ask, expecting Him to honor His promises: Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). My God will meet all your needs (Philippians 4:19) Yes, indeed, we know that we have what we asked of Him (1 John 5:15). The New Testament very seldom suggests any sort of negative answer to faithful prayer. But when it does,1 Gods infinitely higher wisdom is always at work. He may be saying yes in a way we dont yet recognize, perhaps to keep us depending on Him instead of earthly solutions. Or He may be saying no in order to give a far bigger YES! Either way, we can be secure in the knowledge that His love never fails.2 Jesus Himself is our guarantee that God says YES! to all His assurances to us - even His most incredible promises! No matter how many promises God has made, they are YES! in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). M If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 17:53:11 +0000
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