Saturday, 28 September 2024
HIS WILL FOR ASKING
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).
Oftentimes, many don't understand the verse we just read. They think it means that before you ask God for anything, you first must be sure that God is willing to do it; it must be according to His will. But that's not what that verse is saying at all. Rather, what it says is that you ask according to His will for asking. What’s His will for asking?
His will for asking is that you ask the Father in the Name of Jesus. This should bolster your faith and confidence to ask the Father anything in the Name of Jesus and receive answers. It’s no use praying, "Father, grant my requests if they’re in accordance to your will."
First, you need to understand that the will of God is revealed through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us in His will. Therefore, you’ll always have the witness within yourself whether or not you’re in the will of God. However, in this verse, the apostle John was saying we should pray according to God’s will for prayer itself.
What is His will for prayer? What is God's will for asking? John 16:23 tells us, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” So, His will for asking is that we pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus!
Can you see that He wasn’t dealing with the content of what you’re asking for, but rather, how you should ask, how we should pray? He wasn't imposing or introducing new conditions for prayer, like it must align with His will; He said, "Whatever you ask the Father in my Name, he'll give it to you" (John 16:23). No conditions are attached. Hallelujah!
You might ask, "But what if someone asks for something that isn't God's will?" A child of God doesn't ask for something outside of God's will. That's why we have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is God’s will expressed. His will is unveiled to us in His Word; so as you live in and by His Word, you’ll pray within the ambits of His perfect will.
And remember, the Bible says, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Also, He says, “All things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21). Anchor your faith on these truths, and your faith will be strong. Your faith wavers when you debate if it's God's will or not to answer your prayers. Therefore, ask according to His will for asking.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you for the assurance that you hear me always when I pray because I’m inspired and live according to the truth of your Word. Therefore, I’m always in sync with your perfect will. I know that your desire is for me to prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers. My joy is full today, as I receive answers to my prayers, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 4:3; Romans 8:26-27 ESV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Ephesians 4:17-5:1-2 & Isaiah 25-26
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Timothy 3:1-17 & Jeremiah 46