10/01/2018
Praying for those things that are within the will of God for us; do we really know how to do that? Seeking out the will of God, as He has determined it to be, takes much prayer in which we ask no other question but “what is your will for me?”, and listening for His reply, then when God answers and makes that desire known to us... we will know how to pray as we should. Until that time our prayers are best conducted by the Holy Spirit within us.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27 ESV
We ask God for all sorts of things over the course of our lives, as a boy playing baseball I would step into the batter’s box uttering a quick prayer for a home run... just as my best friend, who was pitching, uttered a similar prayer that he would strike me out. Which of us was praying in the will of God; neither of us? The pitch was thrown and I hit a single, and we both thanked God... me for reaching first base safely, and my buddy because I didn’t hit a home run. Not every desire we have is in accordance with the will of God, and yet we pray them because after all... He is our Father, yet like our earthly father he has certain desires for us.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
1 John 5:14 ESV
“According to His will”, so how do we come to know the will of God as we pray? Well... we ask Him to reveal it to us, and that should be our first prayer, “Lord show me your will that I will know how to pray this thing. Father that your will be done and that you might be glorified.” Hmmm... so Rich, you are saying that although I have a desire, God wants that desire to glorify Him? Yes! God wants my will to conform to His? Yes!
Righteous saints are often caught up in unrighteous endeavors, so how do they pray? A German soldier during WWII is transferred from a small posting on the outskirts of his village in the beauty of the Alps to a concentration camp where atrocities are being performed, how does he now pray the war will end? The effort and sacrifice that he once felt was about opportunity for his family and a sense of nationalism is revealed to be much darker... did his prayer life suddenly change, yes, how about God’s will for him, did it change from the onset of the war to this moment of revelation? No. There was a disconnect between God’s will and this man’s personal desire; and it became painfully obvious... where was God’s glory at that moment in which evil was revealed?
So how do we pray? How do we come to understand the will of God? There are a couple of ways that we should pray, first we should ask God to reveal His will to us, but as we do this, and are waiting for that answer, we should give the Holy Spirit reign to pray for us in groaning, and utterances.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:27 ESV
Then there are prayers that we are instructed to pray in scripture that can serve us as our guide as we await God’s voice concerning His specific will for us. We can pray the Lord’s Prayer, and others...
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 ESV
And, as to the method... we should pray fervently, and without ceasing, but as we do so we should take time to listen for His voice. Prayer is not all about our non-stop spewing forth of verbiage... it is a conversation and conversations always include pauses in which the other person can respond or speak. How do you feel when you are talking with someone who never allows you to get a word in edgewise? Frustrated? Wondering why you even bother to have this conversation at all? Listen! Listen! Listen! God often speaks in a small still voice...
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”
1 Kings 19:12-13 ESV
So consider your prayers, and ask yourself... is this God’s will or mine? Am I Glorifying Him in this, or am I seeking my own glory? Am I actually at a loss as to how I should pray regarding this desire I have? When you have successfully answered these questions, and you know God’s will, then you can pray in confidence.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for prayer, and for guiding me in it by showing me your will. Help me Holy Father to not only hear your voice, but to obey it. I know Lord that I can be presumptuous, and try to place my own will at the forefront of my prayers, but help me in those times to see my error, and listen for your voice. Like your Truth Father, which is always true and unyielding despite how adamant I am to the contrary, your will is always done despite my prayer otherwise. So guide me by your Holy Spirit, and let my moaning of the spirit, that knows your will, be my source of truth. Merciful Father, I will still myself and listen for your whisper. I will be patient as my hearing is attuned to the sound of your voice, and watch for your signs, visions, and dreams that will enlighten me as to your will. Speak to me Holy Father that my prayers will be in accordance with your will and bring glory to your name. Be with me this day in my prayer closet, and as I lift prayers to you in all the places I travel. Keep your eyes fixed upon me as I remain focused on your will, and answer your call in my life. Let your hand lift me up and strengthen me as I go about your work, and do those things that you would have me do. Reveal yourself through me Merciful Father, and let those around me see you, and not my own will dressed up in filthy garments I claim to be righteous. Guide me to the left and to the right; tell me to stand, and when to run, but all along my way, and in everything I do, make your will known to me... let your voice lead me on, and find my life is bringing you glory. Great are you Father, and goodness is in your will for me because Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who knows the beginning from the end, and whose will for me is perfect in all ways. I pray Father that your will be known to all who have read these words today, and who pray this prayer. Let your will be understood by them and guide their prayers throughout this day, and always.
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”
Colossians 1:9 ESV
Rich Forbes