PRAYING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD

SATURDAY 18 MARCH 2023

In Johannine literature, John the Evangelist talked about the incarnation of the Word of Life. And in that revelation, he acknowledged that we have an ongoing relationship with the Godhead. He noted it in this manner: "The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us, that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:2-4 NKJV). Got it? It's quite clear, and that joy is the joy of salvation.

Indeed, as born again Christians, God is our heavenly Father and so, we are not just His people, we are His children, because He's given birth to us through the Word. The Bible says that we are born of God (1 John 4:4 NKJV), and as His little children, He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created" (James 1:18 NIV). In this transforming relationship, there is fellowship (koinōnia), which is mainly expressed through prayer. All of us who are born of God, have received the Holy Spirit of sonship, and we participate fully in this fellowship because the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's own children.

Reference: Romans 8:27 Good News Translation (GNT) "And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of His people and in accordance with His will."

Effective prayer is a rewarding conversation between a born again Christian and his loving heavenly Father. To me, it's a great pleasure to communicate with God for real. However, we must pray in line with the will of God. 1 John 5:14 (NIV) reads, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Interestingly, there's more to this truth: The Spirit of God intercedes before God on behalf of God's people in accordance with His will. Why? It's because sometimes, words are inadequate. In fact, let's put it this way: You don't always know what someone's really thinking or wants based on what they say. But if you could look inside their heart, you'd know how to interpret their words in a precise manner. That's exactly what the Holy Spirit does in us and for us, because its part of His job in our Christian lives. He searches our hearts and interprets our requests to the Father.

Now, if the Holy Spirit is going to intercede for us (appeal to God on our behalf), we ought to learn and understand what the will of God is because the Spirit pleads for us in harmony with God's own will. To start with, He can't really do anything for us outside of God's will. And where do we locate God's will? In His Word. So even if we don't know how to handle our prayer requests or what to pray for, it doesn't matter. As we engage His influence through effective prayer, it will get to a point where He takes over our prayer - in and through us, thereby interceding for us with wordless sighs, and inexpressible groanings because He knows us far better than we know ourselves. Got it?

Now before you can pray in line with the will of God, two things have to be in place: First, you must engage in a regular intake of Scriptures. God's mind is revealed in His Word; so when you read and study the Bible, you learn how to pray the way you should. Second, if your prayers are going to be on point, you need to practise meditating on the Scriptures. As you do, the Spirit of God will guide your mind to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom, so you can pray aright. Therefore, saturate your minds daily with the Holy Scriptures, and allow them to take root in you until they become part of you. When that starts happening, you'll see significant changes in your favour because the Spirit's intercession is always tied to God's Will (His Word).

God knows what we need more than we know what we want, and as we relate with Him in the secret place of prayer, we are sure to see the manifestation of His perfect will for us. Thus, prayer is a vital part of the Christian life (see Luke 18:1 NIV). Even Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, prayed invariably, according to His Father's will. And without praying aright, you'll definitely faint and grow weary. Therefore, learn to pray according to His perfect will at all times. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:9; James 5:16; 1 John 5:14-15.

Guided Prayer: Precious Father, I thank you for the right of fellowship, which I enjoy with you and the Lord Jesus through effectual, fervent prayer. Through this fellowship, I acknowledge that I function blamelessly before you, because I'm wholly sanctified and markedly alive in Christ. By the help and governing influence of the Spirit of truth, I'm perfectly nourished, constantly edified and evidently transformed as I pray in harmony with your will. Having become one with Christ Jesus through the virtue of new birth, I have every right to receive answers to my prayers, and I'm grateful for the efficacy of this truth in my life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!