How do you pray? In general, does it end up something like “Lord…do this, or do that, I need this, I lack that, Fix this or fix that, Turn this, change that, Stop this, move that, send this, prevent that, Make me into this, or make them into that,” …etc. Oh, the list can go on with the specifics. We look at the issues of our lives, our shortcomings, our lack, our need, and despite prayer, we continue to remain unsure of when, how and if God will bring a change. It seems this is the greatest anxiety upon our hearts.
I believe, 1John 5:14-15 Gives us a clue in how to be confident about our prayers.
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
From this passage, knowing the will of God and praying accordingly to his will is KEY! However, when our lives are layered with the opposition of sin, and a spiritual adversary, the inconspicuousness of faith, and complex relationships, circumstances, and personal issues, how then can we truly know the will of God? How can we be certain amidst all the grey lines and uncertainty? I believe Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us a clue.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Does the highlighted words give you a clue? The key here is GRACE! While we may be familiar with Paul’s claim, “Faith without works is Dead” (James 2:14-26), what is evident but not made clear until we cross reference each of these scriptures is that, GRACE embodies the WILL OF GOD in all things and if we focus more on grace instead of the specifics of our circumstance then God’s grace, which is the will of God, will give us just what we need, not by our works but as a GIFT FROM GOD.
Too often we focus our prayer of faith on a specific thing and should that thing not happen (or happen in the way we planned), we end up disappointed and believing God didn’t answer our prayer, when in fact, we just needed to know his will. Praying specifics is not a bad thing; I’m saying it’s not the best way because it’s prone to error and deception through disappointment. Praying specifics is spiritually dangerous because we may begin to perceive God as a “wish maker” and not as a personal, loving Father and friend.
When we pray for GRACE, we become supernaturally empowered to will and do and to achieve. When we pray for GRACE, we receive God’s wisdom and revelation and peace with divine conviction which enables us to endure and persevere through any situation.
Are you faced with a problem, overwhelmed, worried, fearful, doubtful, anxious and unsure about something? Then you need some GRACE! Whatever you think you need, choose to replace that thing, that dream, that person, that concern you have, with God’s Grace (a gift from God and something you don’t have to work for) and stand confident that you are praying a God-centered prayer, one he hears and will surely answer.
So, a Prayer that will Ensure an Answer is a Prayer for GRACE.
NEVER pray for specifics… Pray for God’s “GRACE,” You might pray something like this: “Lord give me your gift of grace that will…” (heal me, help me endure, help me wait on you, hear your voice, deliver me, bring justice in this situation, restore me…etc)
Know that your prayer of grace will then begin to align you to God’s will (order you steps, transform your heart and mind) about that matter and your only expectation is his ANSWER which will be aligned to his word.
Remember, Grace embodies EVERYTHING we need (Healing, salvation, endurance, waiting, perseverance, patience, deliverance, redemption, renewal, restoration, brings justice, protects, defends, honors, makes wise, establishes and rewards etc.) ALL as a gift from God, because he LOVES YOU!
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 