If we pray for anything according to God’s will, he hears us and will give us what we ask for(1 John 5:14-15). Our Father’s primary will is for us to believe in and become like his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 8:29). Jesus always did according to the will of God the Father; and the Father always heard him (John 8:29; Luke 22:42; John 11:41-42).
The Essential Will of God
- Believe, repent and obey the Lord (Act 2:38; John 14:23).
- Recognize that all scriptures are inspired words of God, whereby followers of God may be thoroughly equipped to live according to the will of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4).
- Set you mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
- Seek first the will of God, and all other things that the Father already knows you need and desire will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:4).
- Grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
Not According to God’s Will
- If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2).
- Love not the things that are in the world–lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—which come not from the Father (1 John 2:16).
- Not willing to deny self and take up one’s cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24; Luke 22:42)
Praying God’s Will Be Done
Jesus said we should pray to our Father: “your will be done” (Matthew 6:9-10). Our Father knows what is best for his children. If we ask for a serpent that we think is an eel, our Farther will not give it to us (Luke 11:11; 1 Corinthians 10:23). But God will not withhold any good thing from us. For if he did not withhold giving his Son to die to redeem us while we were still sinners, how will God not with him freely give us all things that are good for us (Romans 8:32).
Our Father is aware that there are various things his children might ask for in stages of their growth that would be used solely for their pleasure and not his glory. And he knows these things would hinder their spiritual growth (James 4:3).
An example of our Father’s withholding something that would not be beneficial might his not giving a lot of money to those who have a love of money. In this case, God might have these children learn that “godliness with contentment is great gain” but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
God may not grant our prayers to remove suffering that he designed to glorify him and cause us to grow spiritually. Although Jesus was sinless, our Father did not take away Jesus’ cross of dying for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). In being willing to submit to the will of the Father of dying for us, Jesus glorified the Father and accomplished our salvation.
As we grow and delight in the Lord, our overriding desire will become more like that of Jesus Christ: “Father…not my will, but yours, be done.” And when we ask anything according to his will, he will be glorified in doing it for us.
https://youtu.be/ujXz0egoA-Y (You Convictions About Prayer)
