3 things God wants for you as you pray
You are God's handiwork. He created you to know and do His will, to flourish and bear good fruit, and to be transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:9-14).
Therefore, you can be confident that God wants three things for you as you pray.
1. God wants to fill you with the knowledge of his will more than you can imagine (Colossians 1:9; Ephesians 3:20).
How does He do this?
It happens as we pour over scripture, prayerfully asking Him to illumine our mind with spiritual wisdom and discernment (Colossians 1:9). This may take place over a prolonged time in prayer. “In prayer, we talk. We listen. We reflect on Scripture. We wait. We struggle to discern God's will,” said Maxie Dunnam, President Emeritus of Asbury Theological Seminary. When it comes, it will align with Scripture, lift up the gospel, point to the Savior, give unusual insight and bring forth a settled peace of mind (James 3:17; Philippians 4:7).
In prayer, we examine the circumstances to see if they are favorable or pointing in our direction. (1 Corinthians 8:3; Colossians 4:3). We ask ourselves “How will this please the Lord? Is He opening a door of opportunity to proclaim His message?” (Colossians 4:3). Circumstances can sometimes be very good but not necessarily God's best for the specific situation.
Years ago, Bob Mumford, Bible teacher, compared the three red lights stationed along the entryway of a harbor to God's guidance lights. When all three lights are aligned and turn from red to green, the boater can know that they are on a clear path into a safe harbor. Scripture, circumstances and peace are the three ‘lights’ of guidance of God's will that Mumford said must align.
2. God wants you to do His will in His power.
If you are willing to do God's will, He will show you His will. Jesus said, “If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17). In other words, If you put in the time, He will put out the ‘signals.’ He will give you spiritual wisdom and discernment.
Those signals will often lead to planning which can be exhilarating. However, until we begin to do what we know is God's will, we may never discover what God's will is for us in any given situation. We must take action and become “doers of the word.”
As you begin to do what you discern is God’s will, He will give you His power. As you continually ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:19; Luke 11:13; Acts 5:31), He will fill you with power, peace, courage, insight, love or whatever resources you need.
Author Paul E. Little said, “God will not steer a moored ship.” Untie the ropes from the dock. Hoist the sails and let God's wind begin to fill them. Ultimately, prayer is meant to be very practical. God wants to move you to take action. He will supply the power.
3. God wants to transform you.
This is how you can be sure that you are in God's will, moving in the right direction, receiving spiritual wisdom and insight and living a life worthy of Him. Look at the fruit of your life in character and conduct. Are you bearing fruit, growing in clear knowledge of God, being strengthened, invigorated with all power, with all endurance and patience?
- Are you being transformed?
- What do those who you trust and know you best say about you?
- Do they see the transformation in character and conduct?
- Do they see growth in the knowledge of God and the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
You are God's handiwork. Therefore, you can be sure that He wants you to know and do His will more than you can imagine. He will give you spiritual wisdom and discernment to do His will in His power so that you may be transformed in character and conduct. And He wants to do that primarily as you seek Him in prayer.
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 | Langdon Montgomery has served as pastor in several churches over 25 years. He now serves as a hospice chaplain and resides in Hampton Roads. He has a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and has taught three courses at Regent in their Continuing Education and Professional Development Department focused on leadership and preaching. He coaches pastors through Ministry Leadership Coaching, Learn More » |
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