Ask According to God’s Will

Is what you ask God for according to his will? The Bible instructs us to ask according to God’s will, when we pray. The Secret, a popular book by Rhonda Byrne, tells you to ask for what you want when you pray, and you will receive it. This belief stems from Byrne’s notion about a universal law of attraction that teaches if you concentrate on what you want you will receive it. However, in trying to provide biblical support for her belief, she takes two scriptures out of Bible context (p 54, The Secret):

Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22.
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye receive then and ye shall have them. Matt 11:24.

The Bible gives directions about correctly using scriptures to teach.

“And whom shall he make to understand doctrine…For precept must be upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10)
The Holy Spirit uses all of the Word of God to construct a true picture of Bible truth (John 16:13-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
If anyone lacks understanding in properly putting the precepts of the biblical puzzle together, you should pray and ask God for wisdom, and he will give it to you (James 1:5).
The Word of God may be seen as a sharp sword, which separates the truth of the Bible from spiritual error (Hebrews 4:12).

Scriptures from broad context of the Bible show that you should ask according to God’s will to receive what you want from him.

The Bible Word of God does not support the idea that God will give your whatever you want when you pray. The Word tells you God shall give you what you ask, if it is according to his will. The Scripture also provides correct understanding of God’s will. Furthermore, the biblical Word of God tells you that God knows what you need and what will make you happy; and he will give it to you when you desire him first. The above is supported by the following scriptures:

Matthew 6:33–Seek you first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all earthly things that are according to God’s will shall be added to you(Matt: 6:33).
1 John 5:14 – If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us; and shall give it to us.
The primary will of God, in seeking the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, is that we believe in Jesus whom he sent (John 6:29); and that we obey his commandments (John14:15).
Godliness with content is great gain… the love of money is the root of all evil… flee it… follow after righteous, goodness, faith, love, patience, meekness. The love of money and things of this world have caused some to wander from faith in God’s Holy Word (I Timothy 6:6-11).
The Bible says, you ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lust (James 4:3).
What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Matt 6:26).
Colossians 3:2– Set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth
Jeremiah 29:13– You shall seek me, and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
Psalm 37:4–Take delight in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of you heart.