Week of Prayer: Day 2

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

As young children, many of us came to understand that our parents endeavored to respond to our requests with a view toward what was best for us. Though we might not have appreciated it at times, the “father (or mother) knows best” approach was usually sensible. In simple terms, this applies to receiving answers to our prayers as well. While we can be confident in God’s ability to hear our prayers and meet our needs, praying in alignment with His will is vital. As we seek to do His will, He is pleased to answer our prayers.

How can we know His will? By observing and heeding what Scripture teaches. That is particularly important to understanding and aligning with God’s will. Also, the Holy Spirit may reveal something to our heart and spirit regarding God’s will in a particular matter as we seek His help through prayer.

Effective prayer is all about alignment. James 4:3 warns that if we ask amiss or with wrong motives, God will not grant our desires. However, as we sincerely seek to know God’s will, He is pleased to reveal His will to us. When His will comes into view and is followed, we can be confident that our prayers will be answered. When we live and act in a way that pleases our Lord, we can be confident in His willingness to provide what we need.

John T. Maempa