Page 68 - Teach us how to Pray - Book Layout - PDF

DIGGING DEEPER

Praying according to the will of God here could be understood in two
ways. Firstly, God’s will could refer to the secret will of God that is
unknown to us. We might pray for something that we feel to be a
perfectly justified request, but that is not what God has in mind for us
at the time we pray to Him.

Secondly, God’s will could refer to His revealed will. That means our
prayers must always be in line with the will of God as it is revealed to
us in Scripture. We cannot pray to God to grant a desire of our heart
if it conflicts with His Word. For example, “Lord, I don’t love my
spouse anymore. Please give me a better wife.”

The reason is, we live in a secure relationship with God, sealed in a
covenant that He will always love us. He promised us to come to Him
through Jesus, who is the Son of God, the only way for us to draw near
to Him. Thus we can surrender ourselves completely to Him, but also
expect that God will never give us something that is against His will
and always wants to give us what is best for us.

Application

a. How important is it for our prayers that we have the assurance
of salvation?
b. Does it mean that God will not hear our prayers if we lack
assurance of salvation?
c. Share how God’s will and our will sometimes conflict.

9.3 Answer and faith

 Read Matthew 21:18-22

 Discuss: There are no limits for what the Almighty
God can do.
 What did Jesus promise for a prayer prayed in faith
in this passage?