"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my…
THE PRAYER THAT PLEASES GOD
“The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice” (I Kings, – 3:10-11, – NKJV)
Many, if not all People passionately desire to know what God is up to in their lives. As humans, we employ different methods to communicate with Him. One major challenge for many remains, which method is the most acceptable one? Sometimes ago, a particular lady was interested in knowing God’s will for her life. So she sat by a window with her Bible opened and she allowed the breeze to open the pages and chose a verse at random by allowing her finger to fall on a verse. At the first attempt, She read the words, “Judas went and hanged himself.” Horrified, she closed the Bible and tried again. This time her finger found the words, “Go and do thou likewise.” She was even more dismayed, so she tried a third time and the wind-and-finger method led her to another verse that said, “Whatsoever thou doest, do quickly.”
Today, many Christians behave like this lady. We play games with God and at times act as if He is a bussiness man. We have continued to adopt some funny methods in our bid to pray to Him. It is true that prayer is speaking to God our Heavenly Father. It is also a way to have fellowship with Him and express our hearts to Him. Thus, it is not a one way traffic. But this also means that, as we present our petitions to Him, we must be willing for that most important feedback from Him which reflects His will.
God has established plans and purpose for all He has created. The easiest way to get our prayers answered therefore, is to key into His plans and purpose and surrender our wills to Him. King Solomon did this by praying that the purpose of God be first established and God answered the prayers he did not even offer. 1 John, – 5:14, also corroborates this testimony. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us.”
Beloved, what are your personal concerns and challenges? Do they bow to the scrutiny of the will of God? Truly, prayer is one of the most powerful weapons our Mighty God has given us. But we must offer it according to His will, and in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must also pray without ceasing and with the Holy Scriptures on our lips. Praying with the assistance of the Holy Spirit also enables us to pray aright.
As you go forth this new week, meditate on the will of God and make it your priority as you offer your prayers. You are victorious in Jesus name.