Praying God's Will

“…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  -Matthew 6:10

Often we hear of people’s answered prayer.  Then again, there are many other prayers that seem as of yet unanswered.  We think of prayer like a phone call to God, with God on the receiving end.  We are happy when He picks up (answers our prayer), yet discouraged when He does not. We weigh God's goodness as to the number of prayers He answers.

“God, please heal my grandmother.”

“God, please give us a new house.”

But is this in fact how we are called to pray?

Craig Hill in his book, If God, Then Why…? cites an interesting viewpoint when it comes to prayer.  He considers believers ambassadors of heaven, and as such, given authority in prayer due to God’s covenant (promise of redemption) with us. 

He says in Chapter 8:  “If God Is In Control, Then Why Pray?”:

We oftentimes hear people talk about “answered” prayer.  From the standpoint of ambassadors, we are actually the ones doing the answering.  God wants to speak to us and has many things that He would like us to proclaim and release on earth.  Thus, He is waiting for us to listen and answer Him.  I believe that the greatest problem in accomplishing God’s kingdom purpose on the earth is not getting God to answer us, but rather getting us to listen to and answer Him.  So true answered prayer is when we finally pick up the line to heaven and answer God’s request of us as His ambassadors.  (p. 180-181)

Knowing God's will is a big part of this equation.  What about our belief in God?  Do we believe God's will is for there to be so sickness, no pain, no disease?  Do we believe in the verse that says God is "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance"? (2 Peter 3:9)  Craig says, “I believe if we (prayed God's will), we would see an explosion of the Kingdom of God.” (p. 181)

Have you picked up the line to God’s call?  May we all have ears to hear and eyes to see what the Father would have us proclaim on the earth, so that windows of heaven might be opened to the will and plans of God for all humanity. 

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” –Jesus, John 5:30

Time to Pray

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."  Luke 5:16

There is no doubt that prayer (or talking with God) is an essential component of a believer's life.  But often we can get caught up in the demands and interruptions of life, and we may or may not spend enough time in prayer.  Truthfully, how important is prayer?  Is it a make or break situation if we don't pray?  How much time should we devote to prayer? 

The truth is, prayer is very important.  Talking with God refocuses our minds, gives us peace, and helps us hear from God on important matters that we could otherwise miss if we did not take time to talk to God, and be still and listen. I know of many successful men and women who book a time for prayer directly into their schedule, usually during the first moments of the day.  Prayer keeps us in communion with God, and keeps us in belief for the things we are hoping for. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says that we should pray without ceasing! 

Jesus made it a habit of praying - all of the time!  It wasn't until I read the Bible from cover to cover that I realized how much Jesus prayed: 

• "One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night." Luke 6:12 (Just before choosing the twelve disciples)
• "After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Matthew 14:23 (Just before Jesus walks on water)
• "After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Mark 6:46

"I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours." -Mark 11:24 

Is prayer a daily habit in your life?