PRAYING GOD’S WILL

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

Prayer changes everything. While prayer is not demanding things from God, it is also not manipulating Him to do what you want. It is more than simply asking and receiving, although in prayer we do ask and receive. 

Prayer is more than a cry for help when in the midst of trouble. It is communion, and sweet conversation between you and your Heavenly Father. Prayer is unlike many of the conversations people have that are superficial and trite, many in text or email, which can be easily misunderstood. Prayer is having a deep and meaningful conversation, which is intensely personal, with our Heavenly Father. It’s a love relationship. 

I have come to the conclusion that prayer is more for me than for God. It doesn’t change God’s will but changes mine to line up with His. We can all be stubborn and stiff-necked when it comes to something we think we want that may or may not line up with God’s perfect will for us. As a matter of fact, I don’t want anything God doesn’t want me to have in this life.

Prayer brings our stubborn will, which is part of human nature, into conformity with the Will of God our Heavenly Father. When you and I want what God wants, things start to line up that otherwise would not. When we push and shove to get something we think we want, it creates striving and competition. Competition is not a kingdom value.

“Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14 NKJV). John, who walked with Jesus and was one of the twelve wrote this–and it is still Truth forever. 

Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” which tells you to pray about the daily needs for your personal life and family. If you have a family member who is not born-again (saved), you can pray in the perfect will of God for his or her conversion. Scripture makes it clear that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (see 2 Peter 3:9).

What about the other crucial times when you simply don’t know how to pray about a situation or what God’s will is in the matter? How do you pray then? The answer is found in Romans 8:26, where Paul addressed this same issue. Thank God. 

The Bible reveals…..we do not know what is right to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words, or, The Spirit Himself intercedes for God’s own people in God’s own way. That is great news my friend.

If someone has attacked you personally, pray for God to vindicate you and thank Him in advance. If you don’t know which direction to take with all the transition in life, ask God for wisdom. He will give it to you. Not sure how to pray in some other area? Pray for the will of God, which is to pray in the deepest level of faith. 

Ask God for a specific word for your particular situation. He will give it to you. Pray the Scriptures and trust God for the outcome. Obey what He puts in your heart to do immediately. 

Time and time again, I have personally learned that you can trust God to provide and answer in His own way. His way is always far better than our own. Don’t try to figure everything out and get into reasoning. Choose to trust God today.

God is always willing to help. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:1). No matter what you are walking through right now, God is with you and He cares for you. Turn to Him in prayer and ask Him to help you. 

Prayer empowers us to overcome our stubborn refusal to let Him work His will in our lives as His children. Don’t be stubborn..simply obey what God has put in your heart to do. If you have veered off the path and made a wrong turn, it’s not too late to turn back in repentance and obedience. Let’s pray the same for America–”God, turn America back to You in repentance”. 

PRAYER TIME AND REFLECTION: A good chapter to pray from the Bible is Psalm 138. God promises to perfect all that pertains to us as His children. Praise the Lord and declare His word over your life and circumstances. 

When you wake up in the morning, pray Psalm 138. Pray it again at noonday, and before you go to sleep at night. Thank God for the Blood of Jesus that covers your life, your family, and friends. Ask Him to direct your day. At the end of the day, ask God to forgive you for any wrong thoughts, deeds, or actions that were not pleasing to Him. Keep short accounts and live like Jesus may come today—plan like you may live for another decade to leave a legacy of knowing God. 

Jesus loves you.

Resources for Spiritual growth and encouragement:

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days at the Mercy Seat)

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)

Books by Deborah Starczewski–available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.