Rhapsody of Realities
PASTOR CHRIS
TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH
UNDERSTANDING HIS WILL FOR ASKING
And this is the confidence that we have in
Him, that, if we ask anything according to
his will, he heareth us: And if we know
that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we
know that we have the petitions that we
desired of him.
1 John 5:I4-15
Praying according to the will of God is a
key ingredient for success in prayer,
especially the prayer of petition.
However, many have a misconception of
what exactly it means to "ask according to
God's will." Some have assumed, mostly,
because they haven't been adequately
taught the Word, that the reason they
didn't receive answers to their prayers
was because such prayers weren't in line
with God's will for them. They assume
God didn't want them to have what they
were asking for.
But this is an erroneous interpretation of
God's Word in the context of prayer.
Those who hold this mistaken notion that
their prayers weren't answered because
they didn't pray according to God's will
fail to understand that the Holy Spirit's
emphasis in our opening verse isn't
primarily the consistency of their request
with God's will, but their exclusive
privilege of having a hearing with God.
When He tells us to "ask according to
God's will," He isn't talking about "WHAT"
we ask for, but "HOW" we ask for it.
In other words, the way and manner you
present your petitions ought to be
consistent with God's stipulated pattern.
It's important to know, therefore, how to
ask the Father according to His will for
asking. John 16:23-24 gives us a clear
idea: "And in that day ye shall ask me
nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my
name, he will give it you. Hitherto have
ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye
shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Jesus, at this instance, introduced the
exclusive deal—the new, acceptable way
of asking from God. The Father's will for
asking is asking in the Name of Jesus.
When you make requests to the Father in
Jesus' Name, you're actually functioning in
Jesus' stead. It's as though Jesus were
the one making that request. The Father
loves you unconditionally; all He wants is
for you to ask according to His will—in
the Name of Jesus—and receive answers.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I rejoice at the awesome
privilege and blessing of praying in the
Name of Jesus. Thank you for ordaining
me to receive answers to prayers, and
teaching me the acceptable way of asking
in accordance to your will! I'm thus
confident of answers to my petitions as I
offer them in the Name of Jesus today.
Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
John 16:26-27
John 15:16
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 14:53-72
Numbers 29-31
2 Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 26:24-32
Psalm 71-72

May all the saints of God comprehend this message
in Jesus' Name, Amen!