Do you ever start to pray for someone and then think, "What am I supposed to pray for this person?" Or do you ever find yourself praying VERY generally such as, "Lord, bless 'em"?
We are given an insider's glimpse into Jesus' prayer life through the gospel of John (chapter 17). In this chapter, it is as if John pulls us in close with him to hear Jesus crying out to His Father on our behalf. We find that Jesus had something clearly in mind as He prayed for His disciples. He prayed for their Destiny and their Unity. Those two words alone could fill a book!
On Sunday, we will be covering "How Do We Pray for Those We Are Discipling?" Please read John chapter 17 in preparation for Sunday's message!
Did you hear that? Listen closely to Jesus in prayer, I think I just heard your name cross His lips!
Pastor Noel
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1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
I am finding that when I pray specifically in his will God answers. I know God's will when I know his word and I use his word when I pray.
It is God's will that man and wife be together and when that was denied my parents recently in a nursing home setting, I prayed "It is God's will that my parents be together" I know that God hears and knowing that I use His words to pray and he answers. The nursing home has decided to place my parents together as soon as a room opens up. Three days after praying specifically and using God's Word. Since Easter they have been resisting us. Praise God! He is good, he has our best interests at heart. When events like this occur in our lives we need to be swift to share with those we disciple and those we call brother and sister in Christ. I want to thank Him in as timely a fashion as He answered my prayer.
I got so much out of Sunday's teaching! Thank you! My question is: how do you pray when you aren't sure what God's will is for a certain situation? I know to look into scripture, but that can also be dangerous if they are taken out of context. Are there some tried and true ways to discern God's will for a situation?
Gracie-It sounds like it took some time to recognize His will for your parents. How did you do it? Did God reveal it to you or did you and your spouse talk it out?
Sometimes I feel like I just have a lack of understanding of the scriptures, but in the mean time of studying them...how do I pray?
Jen,
I understand and feel your consternation about trying to discern God's will. I would like to address one point in what you wrote: that can also be dangerous if they are taken out of context.
While it may be good to be cautious, I feel the devil has brought that on us far stronger than we need to be, in order to keep us out of God's will.
A person whose heart is toward the Lord should not have that fear, and here is why: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isa. 30:21
The point in this verse is to be on the move. You will hear only when you "turn."
Can you move in the wrong direction? You betcha! But, we can rest on the promise that we will be told when we are trying to turn the wrong way.
Discerning God's will for different situations requires different approaches.
How to know God's will for my life.
How to God's will for a decision.
How to know God's will for someone else.
The approaches may be different, but the base is always the same: What does His Word say?
As Gracie and I are learning this, we are seeing direct and quick answer to our prayers. It is exciting!
Maybe you could try it this way:
1. Pray for the Lord to show you the verse that applies.
2. How am I to apply this verse?
3. Pray the verse as God's will (contract).
I hope this helps.
Dale
www.practicalbibleteaching.com
Through prayer and fasting, while reading God's word during my quiet time, asking specifically for guidance before searching the Word, these are three ways I approach the Word looking for guidance.
I have come to the place where I want to be immersed in the Word of God. I can't seem to spend too much time. Having a Bible that cross references verses is a big help. It is a lot like surfing the web following links. Scriptures are linked together from Old Testament to New Testament and between books.
I understand your comment about 'taking it out of context.' I have had that caution drilled into me. But as I search and pray, I believe the Word says the Holy Spirit gives understanding. John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
That is my prayer as I search.
Most of the time, I end up places I did not intend to go in the Word. I will search, journal and continue reading because I am interested. Then when a question or event arises, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the verse I just read that fits the situation.
I then take that verse and it becomes my prayer. In the case of my parents, "what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." And I prayed, "It is God's will that my parents be together."
I am claiming healing. God's Word states "by his stripes we are healed." So I pray, "It is God's Will that I be healed, and it is God's will that my parents be healed."
Now I am praying that God's Spirit fill my parent's rooms so that those who enter can sense His presence. It is God's will that He be present in the spirit in my parent's room. They are his servants, have spent their lives working for his kingdom.
Your comments have helped so much! Thank you both!
I have experienced healing from the Lord. One such time was a physical healing that occured immediatly. Others times emotional healings that either occur over time or immediatly. I have a personal opposition to the word "claiming" and it is only because of the negative way it has been used to describe "name it and claim it" teachings. I understand where you are coming from, but it is so hard to not be cautions when I see that "word". I'm not trying to be negative, but could you explain a little where you are coming from? Thank you!
When I say I am claiming healing, I mean I have it. I have evidence of it and when doubts arise, say a bit of pain, I raise my arm to the Lord and say, Christ already paid for this healing, his stripes already took care of it and I speak the Word of God when I say I am healed. Every time I do that the pain leaves and there is no more temptation to doubt. Praise God! I am learning to stand on His word and that only.
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