It is a hard thing to pray the will of God in circumstances involving diseases and death. Our desire is always that He would heal our loved ones and us. But not even YAHSHUA’S life was spared so that the will of God would be fulfilled. Since faith is not based on the tangible, but on things not seen, we should pray expecting healing to happen while we pray. It is biblical to believe that way; it is a prayer of faith. But it is right also to pray desiring first of all, the will of God to be performed through us and in us no matter the circumstances. It is in the will of God that the entire picture be drawn as He has for each of us. God’s plans for us sometimes, unseen to us, involve others in the picture. The answer to our prayers is always conditioned to His will, and in His time. King David prayed, “But as for me, my prayer is to You O Lord. In the acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of your mercy and in the abundance of Your loving-kindness, hear me, and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me.” (Psalm 69:13) It takes His mercy, loving-kindness and faithfulness for the unseen to become seen, but only in His perfect will.
A prayer of convenience is never a prayer of faith. When you and I seek help from another source besides God’s, and when we pray to Him only after all fails, it is not a prayer of faith but of convenience. Our God is not to be used as our last resort; He is not to be used for our convenience, either. Instead, God is to be acknowledged as sovereign and His will perfect. Many have abandoned Him and discredited His existence because their prayers were not answered according to their will. Ignorance of Who God is has blinded the understanding of those people, rebellion took over their lives, and pride elevated them above God. They are, as a result, unhappy people and empty of joy. Solomon in one of his many wise counsels instructed us, In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your path (Prov. 3:6). “In all your ways” acknowledge Him.” We will never be able to pray the will of God, a prayer of faith, unless we recognize and acknowledge Him in all our ways. He rightly said, “My ways are not your ways, My thoughts are not your thoughts.” It is rather daring and stupid at the same time to doubt God’s ways and existence. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, uttered reverential and worshipful words, words that give us a feeling of awe when reading them: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable are His judgments! And how untraceable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given God anything that he might be paid back or that he could claim recompense? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever! Amen (Rom. 11:33-36).
Entering the presence of our holy God demanding answers to our prayers is absolute unbiblical. We must enter His presence acknowledging our unworthiness and His worthiness; acknowledging His will first of all and our will second in the scheme of our desire to have our prayers answered. Submission is the key to our happiness at the outcome of our prayers. “Not my will, but Your will be done” should be uttered to God after we present our needs, as our Savior and Lord YAHSHUA did. Remember, we are never alone when we pray, for the Holy Spirit of YAHSHUA is always present interceding for us, as the Bible says, for we do not know how to pray. YAHSHUA is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34b). He is our High Priest and our Mediator. It is a holy time when we enter the presence of God, for God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all take part on our prayers. Therefore, the will of God should prevail, as all in unison agree for it to be done. And we too must pray in agreement with them to be blessed.
The will of God being being made concrete in our heart, mind and will it will change our attitude from “give me” to “Your will, O God, be done.” Be not conformed to this world, Paul said, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you] (Rom. 12:2).
What better can we expect than the will of God for us, when we align our will to His will? His will is for us a shield of protection against evil and errors. The certainty of His will planted in our submissive heart guides us closer to Him; we can feel His firm grip holding our hands, guiding us to a future that is beautiful and filled with peace. No regrets, no guilt, only the expectancy of His blessings even in trouble. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
When in a deep valley pray, “Father, pass from me this cup,” nevertheless, I submit my will to Your will; may it be done. The believer must acknowledge that God has a say so in his life when he prays. It is the most important factor in our petitions to Him. Having this frame of mind, after all is over, then we will not be disappointed neither angry with Him, depending on the outcome, because we prayed, “Nevertheless, Your will be done.” We harmonized with His will from the start.
The will of God being applied in the life of a believer is like refreshing water for his soul, bathing him with His peace. It is His presence being expressed through His care and love for each of us and ultimately, is like His presence shinning ever so brightly leading us to our final home. Yes, it is the will of the Father our redemption, our sanctification and everything in between that happens to us. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you.” Then our life will experience a continuous refreshing breath of God, giving spiritual strength and peace, and nothing in this world and out of this world will be able to separate us from Him in our passing time on this earth.
Light from the Word 