Praying According to God's Will

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us."

—1 John 5:14

"The hope of the righteous shall be gladness."

—Proverbs 10:28

Today, as we gathered for prayer, I felt led to share from three powerful passages: 1 John 5:14, Proverbs 10, and Psalm 51. These Scriptures are more than familiar verses; they are anchors for spiritual prayers, how we believe, and how we trust God

Since the summer of 2020, the book of Proverbs has become a spiritual practice for me. During the pandemic, I began reading a chapter each day corresponding with the date. On July 10th, I found myself in Proverbs 10 again, and it blessed me, just as it has every time. And even more profoundly when I paired it with the verse in 1 John 4:15.

Confidence in God, Not Ourselves

We often quote Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” But 1 John 5:14 takes us deeper: Faith is confidence! This confidence is not in ourselves, not in our ability to fix, strategize, or force outcomes, but in God. When we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. This truth brings peace.

I was recently at our Church's General Assembly, and one of the bishops ministered from this passage. It confirmed in my spirit what the Lord had already been impressing upon me: we must pray according to His will. Not ours. It was encouraging to hear and receive this Word again, as I have many things on the altar.

Fasting, Focus, and Clarity

The confidence we need requires a greater commitment to consecrating ourselves. I’ve spent weeks turning off the TV, turning over the plate, leaning into prayer, and studying my Word. Why? Because I need God to move, yes, but more than anything, I need clarity. Fasting helps me separate from the noise so I can hear Him clearly.

There is nothing too hard for God, but that doesn’t mean He moves on our terms. It’s about trusting Him deeply, even when His answer is different from our desire.

Accepting God’s Sovereign Will

Yesterday, my great aunt passed away at the age of 103. She lived a beautiful, long life, loving the Lord. Her passing reminded me: even when we pray, we must also say, “Lord, if it be Your will.” That's not a lack of faith, it’s the full presence of trust. It was God's will to take her home to be with Him.

Even Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven, everything responds to God’s command. On earth, we must learn to submit our wills to His sovereign plan.

When We Don’t Understand

Let’s be honest, sometimes we struggle when things don’t go our way. A door closes, a prayer goes unanswered, or a position doesn’t come through, and we ask, “Lord, do You see me? Did You hear me?” We feel disappointment, confusion, and even heartbreak.

But Proverbs 10:28 says, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.” That means if we’re truly walking in righteousness and trusting God’s will, then even our waiting will lead to gladness. A deep assurance that no matter the final outcome, we trust the will of the Father. That hope allows us to say, even through tears, “It is well.”

Cleansing the Heart Before We Pray

Before we make our requests known, we must also check our hearts. Sometimes, our lack of confidence in prayer comes from lingering disappointment or offense, perhaps even confusion toward God, and why He didn't answer our prayers. Or why is our answer delayed? We don’t like to admit it, but we may be holding on to resentment over something we thought should have happened but didn’t.

David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). A clean heart isn’t just about forgiving others; it’s also about surrendering to God's will, even when we don’t understand it. It requires allowing God to pluck up bitter roots, disappointments, and doubt.

He Will Come In

As I closed our time of prayer, I was reminded that God does come in. He shows up in ways we don’t expect. He especially shows up when we pray with brokenness, with humility, and with honesty.

We prayed for sisters going into interviews, for those asking God for clarity and breakthrough, for those waiting on long-awaited answers. And our collective declaration was this: "Lord, if it be Your will, work it out. In Jesus' name."

Because we are confident that when we pray according to His will, He hears us.

Closing Encouragement

Make it a practice to pray out of the Word of God. Psalms, Proverbs, and the entire Bible are filled with powerful prayers that will shape your own. Let the Word guide your prayer time, and learn to pray spiritual prayers.

Please know, God sees you. God hears you. And God will respond, in His way and in His time.

Whatever His answer is, let the Church say, Amen.