Praying according to God’s will.
One of the most reassuring and comforting truths in the Bible is that God hears and answers our prayers. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “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.”
This verse reminds us that God is attentive to our prayers and that He is willing to answer them when we pray according to His will. But what does it mean to pray according to God’s will? It means that we pray for things that align with God’s character and his plans for our lives. It means that we seek his guidance and wisdom and that we trust in his goodness and sovereignty.
Persistence in prayer.
Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” This verse reminds us that God is generous and loving and that he is eager to give us the things we need. It also encourages us to be persistent in our prayers, knowing that God is faithful and that He desires to bless us.
Faith in Prayer.
Matthew 21:22 adds, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” This verse highlights the importance of faith in our prayers. When we pray with faith, we trust in God’s goodness and power and we believe that He is able to answer our prayers. This kind of faith helps us to approach God with confidence and to trust in his ability to work in our lives.
So how can we pray more effectively and see God’s power at work in our lives? The key is to pray in faith according to God’s will. It has been stated, faith begins where the will of God is known. F.F. Bosworth said, “It is impossible to boldly claim by faith a blessing that you are not sure God offers”. Praying in faith is believing that God is able and willing to answer our prayers in order to fulfill His promises.
Approaching God with Confidence.
Finally, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that he is loving and attentive to our needs. As we pray in these ways, we will see the power of prayer at work in our in our lives and experience the blessings that come from a close relationship with God.
Hebrews 4:16 (“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”) teaches us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is both sovereign and loving.
