Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Will in Prayer

To pray according to God's will, we must first acknowledge that prayer is not about imposing our will on God, but rather submitting our will to His. We seek God's will by asking for guidance and trusting in His sovereignty. When praying, we should ask, "Lord, what is your will?" and seek to understand His purposes. This involves being familiar with Scripture, where God has given us commands and promises that guide us in our prayers.

Praying According to God's Promises

When we pray, we should pray according to God's promises and commands found in Scripture. This gives us confidence that God will answer our prayers. For instance, when praying for guidance, we can pray with faith that God will keep His promise and direct our lives according to His purposes. We should also look to the future, making a list of big requests that focus our prayer. These requests can be personal issues or concerns about God's work.

Seeking God's Will in Prayer

When we're unsure of God's will, we should ask for deeper understanding and then pray for what seems best to us, giving reasons to the Lord why we're praying that way. We should also acknowledge that God's will is to be accepted, not altered, by prayer. This means praying with a submissive heart, saying, "Not my will, but yours, be done." Effective prayer requires more than a regular routine; it involves enjoying prayer and seeking time to pray, sacrificing even, to establish an ongoing relationship with God. By praying according to God's will, we demonstrate our concern for His purposes and our trust in His sovereignty. This is the essence of prayer, and it's how we can make wise choices and discover God's will.