Praying God's Will: Unlocking the Power of Aligned Prayers.

Learn how to pray according to God's will and align your prayers with His purposes. Discover biblical instructions and practical tips for believers.

Praying According to God’s Will: A Guide for Believers

As believers, one of our highest aims in life should be to bring glory to God. This includes praying according to His will, seeking His wisdom, and trusting in His graciousness to answer our prayers. In this article, we will explore the biblical instructions that guide us in praying according to God’s will, and how we can apply them to our prayer lives.

1. Pray for the things the Bible commands us to pray for

The Bible provides us with specific instructions on what we should pray for. For example, we are commanded to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44), for the sending of missionaries (Luke 10:2), and for relief from affliction (James 5:13). When we pray for these things, we can have confidence that we are praying according to God’s will.

2. Follow the example of godly characters in Scripture

The Bible is filled with examples of godly individuals who prayed according to God’s will. Paul prayed fervently for the salvation of Israel (Romans 10:1), David prayed for mercy and forgiveness when he sinned (Psalm 51:1-2), and the early church prayed for boldness to witness (Acts 4:29). By studying and emulating these examples, we can learn how to align our prayers with God’s will.

3. Pray with the right motivation

Our motives matter when we approach God in prayer. James 4:3 warns us that selfish motives will hinder our prayers. Instead, we should approach God with humility and selflessness, seeking His will above our own desires. Our prayers should not be motivated by personal gain or to impress others, but rather to align ourselves with God’s plans and purposes.

4. Pray with a spirit of forgiveness

Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of our relationship with God and with others. Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12). Holding onto bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness towards others hinders our ability to pray effectively and in alignment with God’s will. We must strive to forgive others as God has forgiven us.

5. Pray with thanksgiving

Gratitude is a powerful attitude to cultivate in our prayer lives. The Bible encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to approach God with thanksgiving in our prayers (Colossians 4:2). No matter how burdensome our wants and needs may be, we can always find something to be thankful for. A heart filled with gratitude aligns with God’s will and opens the door for His blessings to flow into our lives.

6. Pray with persistence

Jesus taught us the importance of persistence in prayer through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). We should not be discouraged or give up when our prayers are not answered immediately. Instead, we should continue to pray, trusting in God’s perfect timing and His wisdom to answer according to His will. Persistence in prayer demonstrates our faith and dependence on God.

7. Rely on the Spirit of God in prayer

One of the most comforting truths about prayer is that we are not alone in our supplications. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray (Romans 8:26-27). Even in our deepest sorrows and struggles, the Spirit prays on our behalf, aligning our prayers with God’s will. This assurance gives us confidence that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Praying according to God’s will is a journey that requires seeking wisdom, following biblical examples, aligning our motives, forgiving others, expressing gratitude, persisting in prayer, and relying on the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our understanding of God’s will and His heart for us, our prayers will become more aligned with His purposes. We can trust that our prayers, when in line with His will, will be answered according to His perfect timing and for our ultimate good.

So, let us approach prayer with faith and confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father desires to hear and answer our prayers. Let us seek His wisdom, follow the examples of godly characters in Scripture, pray with the right motives, forgive others, give thanks, persist in prayer, and rely on the Holy Spirit. As we align our prayers with God’s will, we will experience a deeper intimacy with Him and see the power of prayer at work in our lives.