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Praying The Will of God

Jesus had a habit of praying in the morning. Does that seem weird to anyone else? After all, Jesus is God. 

Why did Jesus pray? I believe there are two reasons.

First, Jesus stayed connected to God and the Holy Spirit through prayer. Yes, Jesus is fully God, therefore, he knows everything God knows. It may seem odd that God would talk to himself. We do not fully understand the Trinity and how God operates as three distinct persons while still being one God. Sure, there are characteristics of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that we know and understand, but His communication between Father, Son, and Spirit is a beautiful mystery. Nonetheless, Jesus’ prayers show us the deep connection between Jesus, God, and the Spirit. Just because Jesus was on earth doesn’t mean he stopped communing with God. Jesus’ residence was no longer heaven but that didn’t keep him from communicating with God.

Secondly, Jesus prayed daily as an example for us to follow. Jesus had open, honest conversations with God and prioritized his time with God before any ministry task.

Jesus prayed in the morning.

Jesus prayed when he was busy.

Jesus prayed for people to repent.

Jesus gave thanks to God.

The disciples took notice of these prayers. The authors of the four gospels repeatedly recorded Jesus’ habit of prayer.

In Luke 11 the disciples asked if Jesus would teach them to pray. Jesus taught them a model of praying that we call “The Lord’s Prayer.”  

Jesus’ teaching on prayer didn’t end with the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus also said this about how they ought to pray:

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Luke 11:9-10

Ask, seek, and knock.

These three imperatives are synonymous in this passage – pointing to the importance of approaching God in prayer. Through Jesus, we have access to God in prayer. We can ask him anything. We must seek him in every situation. We can knock on the door and he will open up opportunities, wisdom, and discernment.

The next question I have is one I’m sure you have asked, “Is Jesus saying that every prayer be answered – no matter what it is?” You must have realized that every prayer isn’t answered with a yes from God when you through up a last minute prayer for God to allow you to pass your exam in 10th grade that you didn’t study for at all.

If some prayers aren’t answered with a yes then what is Jesus meaning in this passage? Did Jesus lie or was he mistaken? That is not the case. 

Remember the Lord’s Prayer? In it Jesus said that we should pray,

“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10

Jesus taught that we are to pray the will of God.

If we pray in the will of God then it will be answered.

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” Luke 11:10

Jesus’ habit of prayer gives us an example to follow. We pray not to receive everything we desire but to align our hearts, minds, lives, and will to God’s. 

Apply: 

How do we pray with the will of God in mind?

• Pray honestly to God. 
• Don’t demand things from God but share what is on your heart and mind.  
• Ask God for his will to be done – not your desires or wants to be accomplished 
• Trust that God is good and will work for the good of those who follow him (Romans 8:28).
• Praise God for his goodness and greatness and that his will, not ours, will be done.

Respond:

Take the points above and take a few minutes to pray for God’s will to be accomplished in your situation.

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The F260 NT Bible reading plan and HEAR Journal method is from Replicate Ministries.