Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. -Luke 18:1
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. -1 John 5:14-15
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. -Mark 11:23-24
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. -Psalms 145:18-19
Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.… -Psalm 37:3-5
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” -Mark 9:23
What is it your heart wants?
Is it a child? Complete healing from sickness? A more victorious marriage? A new job?
Every day, I’m learning how He does the impossible in peoples’ lives…how seemingly insurmountable situations and unbreakable patterns cannot stand up against His will. Because, truly, His will WILL be done.
But we also know that His timetable is completely different than ours. We’d love to have our prayers answered yesterday. But He always has his reasons to put pieces together and lay down steps just right before we can proceed. While we wait, we grow in perseverance and faith. And, it’s possible that if what we pray for involves others’ lives, that their lives must be positioned just right as well before the outcome will pass.
And while we wait, the enemy will gladly whisper in our ears to sow doubt and despair. And he will do his best to make you doubt your answer to the following question as well:
How do I know if what my heart wants is also what God wants for me in my life?
I’ve looked far and wide to find a consistent answer to that question, in and out of Scripture, and the consistent answer I’ve found is that, if you strive with all of your surrendered heart to living for Him, your heart’s desires will increasingly align with His will.
Before I ask Him for anything, I ask myself if what I’m praying for will glorify Him more. If the answer is yes, then I boldly bring my petition before Him.
Who are we to petition to God?
We are children of the One True King, whom He so loved that He secured righteousness, redemption, and salvation for us while we were sinners, completely undeserving of such boundless grace!
As His children, we come before Him boldly with our petitions, truly believing in what we ask for in Jesus’ name.
His will be done
Are there areas in your life where you still haven’t completely let go? What helps is to, when you pray your heart to Him, to surrender your wishes to Him…even if you have to every single day and night…and to acknowledge after praying your heart that “Your will be done, Lord.” I also ask the Lord that if there is anything I ask for that is not aligned with His will, to please help me discern so, and to remove it from my heart.
This is important so that we’re not burdened by the longing for what we pray for in the future, but instead give the burden to Him so we can focus on today and this very moment. We need to live in the now, and completely entrust Him with the later.
While you’re waiting
Once you’ve boldly petitioned the Lord with the desire of your heart, wait and walk patiently in obedience and faith, and remember that:
- The present circumstances, good or bad, are not necessarily indicators whether what you pray for will come to pass. Only the Lord can see the whole picture.
- See the blessings in the present, no matter how unpleasant or dark, which can pave the way and plant seeds for answered prayers
- Each moment, hour, and day passing is that much closer to answered prayers
- Prayers are necessary as an act of faith for certain outcomes God wants, as has been demonstrated many times through His Word
- God put the dream in your heart
The bottom line is: the best things, which can be the things for which we pray—especially if they align with His will—are worth the wait. Don’t give up on them. Ever.
Prayer
Father,
We come before You always with thanks and praise, especially in dark and trying times, for You are with us always.
We heartily confess and repent of our sins: _________, and humbly ask for Your forgiveness. We thank You for Your swift forgiveness without record, dashing our transgressions as far as the east is from the west!
As Your victorious children, we petition to You the desires of our hearts, which we have examined to be in alignment with Your will. As Your word says, Lord, we ask You in Jesus’ name, and believe it shall be done, that _________. We thank you for making a way, and please show us the way.
While we wait, Lord, we will wait and walk in obedience and faith to serve You.
Please carry us and assure us of Your love, Your promises, and strengthen us to walk victoriously on every step you plan for us (Proverbs 16:9).
We humbly thank You for loving us so that You would give up Your Son for our salvation.
We love and praise You, and in Jesus’ holy and powerful name we pray.
Amen.
Isabelle
Wow