Only pray for God’s will to be done

[Runningman]

When you pray you don’t really need to ask for anything other than God’s will being done.

Sure, you can pray for your friends, family, strangers, enemies, even pets if you want. That’s all fine, but our requests are actually a lower priority than God’s will.

You can pray for material blessings, health blessings, education blessings, wisdom, better relationships, and more but God already knows you need and/or want all of that. Sometimes His answer is no.

All you really need to pray for is God’s will to be done, say thank You and and I love You Father. It’s that simple.That’s the key to praying without ceasing.

You just have the singular request of seeking God’s will being done at all times in your prayers.

 

[Dino246]

With respect, that sounds so 'holy' but is inconsistent with the witness of Scripture. God wants us to share our hearts with Him; doing so builds relationship with Him. I agree in one respect: we should summarize our supplicatory prayers with "Your will be done" but that is not the only thing we should pray in supplication.

 

[SomeDisciple]

True; however, I think it is possible to oversimplify.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Indeed, 11,12, and 13 are all part of God's will being done. Yet these three things were pointed out by the Lord in particular, and I would suspect there is a reason for every word.

It's not so much that it needs to be brought to God's attention that these things are needed- it's that we need to be asking for them, because these are the things that God wants to be on our mind.

 

[Unw0rthyS3rvant]

We are instructed to bring and make our PETITIONS known b4 the Lord!

Seek & you will find,ask & it will be given, knock,& it shall be opened.

I want the ONLY one who knows me intimately to hear my request.

He knows our hearts,our words,thoughts and actions,but he wants us to also confess these flaws and ask 4 help from only he who can provide!

He loves to give good gifts to his children and not be slack to fulfil his promises to us.

If your natural child never ask for food & H2O,how do you know they are hungry or thirsty.

If your child never tells you they are sick or in pain ,how will you know?

If your child never tells you they are sad & heartbroken,how will you know?

Please take ALL to the Lord in prayer!

 

[Runningman]

With respect, that sounds so 'holy' but is inconsistent with the witness of Scripture. God wants us to share our hearts with Him; doing so builds relationship with Him. I agree in one respect: we should summarize our supplicatory prayers with "Your will be done" but that is not the only thing we should pray in supplication.

Totally agreed. Say anything you want to God. That's what I was saying. Pray for anything as long it is underscored by "Your will be done."

My perspective is that prayer can almost become a sort of white noise rather than anything relevant even when they are heart felt. I can pour my heart out to God and I believe He loves that, but the answer can still be a gentle no or a wall of silence. The bottom line is always "Your will be done" regardless of our imminent danger, our desperation, and pain.

Allow me to build a sort of strawman to illustrate my perspective a bit more. Imagine your favorite creation looked all of your gift horses in the mouth, telling you how you could have given better, telling you what to do when you are infinitely more wise, knowledgeable, and powerful than it. Now multiply that by billions of times and 99% of them are ungrateful and even hostile to you. Do you destroy them, have pity, or have mercy on them? God has tried that.

It looks like "Thanks for sharing all that, but it's My will being done here, not yours, and the answer is still no." I think it will require some serious sincerity and petitioning from the heart to get God to alter the course for someone and yes I do believe He can change His mind.

 

[Runningman]

True; however, I think it is possible to oversimplify.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Indeed, 11,12, and 13 are all part of God's will being done. Yet these three things were pointed out by the Lord in particular, and I would suspect there is a reason for every word.

It's not so much that it needs to be brought to God's attention that these things are needed- it's that we need to be asking for them, because these are the things that God wants to be on our mind.

The Lord's prayer is the best example I think. It doesn't really ask for anything other than doing God's will, expressing gratitude, and forgiveness.

 

[tourist]

The Lord's prayer is the best example I think. It doesn't really ask for anything other than doing God's will, expressing gratitude, and forgiveness.

I make it a point to say the Lord's prayer each morning before I go to work.

 

[Runningman]

We are instructed to bring and make our PETITIONS known b4 the Lord!

Seek & you will find,ask & it will be given, knock,& it shall be opened.

I want the ONLY one who knows me intimately to hear my request.

He knows our hearts,our words,thoughts and actions,but he wants us to also confess these flaws and ask 4 help from only he who can provide!

Agreed, but isn't all of that caveated by asking with the right motives and asking for God's will being done? I am thinking along the lines of James 4:3 here.

He loves to give good gifts to his children and not be slack to fulfil his promises to us.

What material gifts were we promised?

If your natural child never ask for food & H2O,how do you know they are hungry or thirsty.

If your child never tells you they are sick or in pain ,how will you know?

If your child never tells you they are sad & heartbroken,how will you know?

Please take ALL to the Lord in prayer!

I disagree slightly with that perspective. I think God put systems in place, life-support systems if you will, but isn't actively going around dropping mana from heaven on each person. Though He can and does give special attention to individuals, not always. The sickness, physical and/or emotional pain are often consequences of the world we live in an our nature being pitted against itself.

For example, it's normal to get sick and feel pain, but some people get so much pain for so many years that they are practically born in pain, raised in it, molded by it, then by the time they are an adult they are not really "normal people" even though they could have ended up normal if their circumstances were just a bit different.

 

[Runningman]

I make it a point to say the Lord's prayer each morning before I go to work.

That's awesome. I pray each day, too, just not always at the same times.

I have heard different versions of the Lord's prayer, some I think people added their own words to it. Do you say the one, verbatim, quoted in Matt 6:9-13?

 

[tourist]

That's awesome. I pray each day, too, just not always at the same times.

I have heard different versions of the Lord's prayer, some I think people added their own words to it. Do you say the one, verbatim, quoted in Matt 6:9-13?

I generally follow the guideline but occasionally I will paraphrase or add to it depending on what I feel the need might be. Absolutely, always God will to be done.

 

[Blik]

T
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. .

When we pray the Lord's prayer we are teaching ourselves to live through the Lord as well as asking for blessings.

When we ask for our daily bread it is asking for food for both the stomach and the soul. The Lord can send us people who helps us, even.

Saying we forgive others is a reminder not to hold a grudge, and we need forgiveness for ourselves. We need to ask for that forgiveness, as there are people who do not take their sins to the Lord to be cleansed of them.

There are people who do not believe they should stay away from evil. Look at all the arguments on this site at the very word "law". Christ was more interested in how we live than what we think, but many feel that is not so. Here we ask to deliver us from evil.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

We are instructed to bring and make our PETITIONS known b4 the Lord!

Seek & you will find,ask & it will be given, knock,& it shall be opened.

I want the ONLY one who knows me intimately to hear my request.

He knows our hearts,our words,thoughts and actions,but he wants us to also confess these flaws and ask 4 help from only he who can provide!

He loves to give good gifts to his children and not be slack to fulfil his promises to us.

If your natural child never ask for food & H2O,how do you know they are hungry or thirsty.

If your child never tells you they are sick or in pain ,how will you know?

If your child never tells you they are sad & heartbroken,how will you know?

Please take ALL to the Lord in prayer!

amen if we learn Gods Will Jesus preached our prayers are going to always be within Gods Will Aomori requests are coming from a pure heart of faith

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:5-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

once I stopped hoping God might hear my prayers and learned that he hears every word in Christ Jesus , I began to experience the peace it offers to know God is truly able and truly with us rather than far away

of course we only want Gods Will for certain but he teaches us Gods Will so our prayers become effective and Gods Will begins to Manifest

prayer is one of the most powerful things we have in good times and bad times . When we need comfort , deliverance or peace . When we need wisdom , patience .

When we are thankful and when we are strong . When we are weak he’s always there and always listening to the cry of his people , his children and he has not changed from a God that provides all we need and keeps us safe from the spiritual wickedness on the world he’s able to keep us in righteousness and also forgive us when we’ve stumbled

When our requests become yokes to his Will there is a lot of power to realize in our prayer life . I think we find how little we pray for “things “ and how much we pray for spiritual welfare of ourselves and others even more

 

[Runningman]

I generally follow the guideline but occasionally I will paraphrase or add to it depending on what I feel the need might be. Absolutely, always God will to be done.

Try praying it with other people too. It seems to be more powerful, somehow.

 

[Unw0rthyS3rvant]

Agreed, but isn't all of that caveated by asking with the right motives and asking for God's will being done? I am thinking along the lines of James 4:3 here.



What material gifts were we promised?



I disagree slightly with that perspective. I think God put systems in place, life-support systems if you will, but isn't actively going around dropping mana from heaven on each person. Though He can and does give special attention to individuals, not always. The sickness, physical and/or emotional pain are often consequences of the world we live in an our nature being pitted against itself.

For example, it's normal to get sick and feel pain, but some people get so much pain for so many years that they are practically born in pain, raised in it, molded by it, then by the time they are an adult they are not really "normal people" even though they could have ended up normal if their circumstances were just a bit different.

You misread my post!

As his children and followers of Christ, who came only to do the Father's will,we emulate his examples.

I am NOT talking about material things of this world,I have NEVER asked him to provide things. Even though he owns the cattle of a 1000 hills,all the silver & gold, all cattle ECT. belongs to him!

I did not say TELL HIM WHEN WE ARE SICK & IN PAIN,although he cares about our houses of clay,and can & will HEAL what he created. My example went right over your head......our children,maybe you don't have any kids?

Furthermore your example of dropping mana........ He did it once to feed his rebellious ppl,why do you think he cannot do it again?

He does go around blessing special ppl with special blessings.
Faith is blessed,being led by HS is blessed,studying is blessed....lol. if you are not receiving his SPECIAL blessings maybe you need to re- evaluate your prayer type.

You are FREE to agree or disagree. You live your life according to his leading and I will follow his way in my life!

 

[Unw0rthyS3rvant]

Amen @Pilgrimshope

Our prayer life to me comes first for it is what we did first at our new birth! Study of the word 2 nd.


Prayer can change the heart of God!
Prayer can build our faith!
Prayer can change circumstances!
Prayer can make us overcomers!
Prayer can give us strength!
Prayer can make us humble!
Prayer can change those around us!
Prayer can enhance our studies!

PRAY W/O CEASING!

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

BE ON FIRE IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE & YOUR LIFE FOR HIM WILL BE ON FIRE!

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Amen @Pilgrimshope

Our prayer life to me comes first for it is what we did first at our new birth! Study of the word 2 nd.


Prayer can change the heart of God!
Prayer can build our faith!
Prayer can change circumstances!
Prayer can make us overcomers!
Prayer can give us strength!
Prayer can make us humble!
Prayer can change those around us!
Prayer can enhance our studies!

PRAY W/O CEASING!

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

BE ON FIRE IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE & YOUR LIFE FOR HIM WILL BE ON FIRE!

yes ! amen but also if we want to learn how Jesus taught us to Pray we have to hear what he said sort of I believe it all goes hand in hand

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Some folks forget this is all about prayer not just “ the Lord’s Prayer “ but all of these principles we hear in his word

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:1-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we really allow ourselves to believe what he’s saying it creates confidence in prayer
many words of Christ teach us these principles meant for us to take in and consider and let it shape our prayer life

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:10-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As we hear the gospel the true words of God to his children we learn from him , his ways that are approved by the Lord. We learn we are his children by his own will , we learn we aren’t perfect but He is

I believe as we hear ( accept and heed) the word he’s able to quicken us and shape us into the proper image of his children all because we hear and believe Having trust and hope because we come to know him as he is our Lord and our God and our beloved and loving Heavenly Father

if we know him prayer is going to catch fire and be a part of every aspect of our lives everyday and in every situation we should be willing to pray because he’s there with us hearing us

 

[maxwel]

God wants us to share our hearts with Him; doing so builds relationship with Him. I agree in one respect: we should summarize our supplicatory prayers with "Your will be done" but that is not the only thing we should pray in supplication.

Dino makes a point here that is really of supreme importance... that prayer is an exercise of building our relationship with God.


When God says in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together," that isn't for God's benefit.
God already know's what's on our mind, and he has all the answers... he isn't in need of our "reasoning."
: )
This "reasoning together", where we pour our hearts out to God, and open ourselves up.... that's for OUR benefit.
And the act of doing this WITH God (instead of trying to do it on our own) is inherently an act of submission... we're saying, "I'm bringing everything to YOU because I'M DEPENDENT ON YOU."


That's what it's all about... dependence.
(Prayer is primarily about relationship, and showing dependence is to maintain our proper PLACE in that relationship.)
This is why it's good when we remember to say "your will be done."
We don't say that for God's benefit, we say it for our benefit... to assent to our place of dependence and trust.
It's almost silly if we think about it: OF COURSE God will do his will.
: )
But we say "your will be done" to remember our position in the relationship... to continually, over and over, remember our place of dependence and contingency.


Anyway, I guess we can never talk too much, or too often, about prayer.
It is ALWAYS a great topic... and I think EVERYONE can bring their experience and insight into the conversation.
Great topic.

I hope everyone has a great week.

.

 

[Runningman]

You misread my post!

As his children and followers of Christ, who came only to do the Father's will,we emulate his examples.

I am NOT talking about material things of this world,I have NEVER asked him to provide things. Even though he owns the cattle of a 1000 hills,all the silver & gold, all cattle ECT. belongs to him!

I did not say TELL HIM WHEN WE ARE SICK & IN PAIN,although he cares about our houses of clay,and can & will HEAL what he created. My example went right over your head......our children,maybe you don't have any kids?

Furthermore your example of dropping mana........ He did it once to feed his rebellious ppl,why do you think he cannot do it again?

He does go around blessing special ppl with special blessings.
Faith is blessed,being led by HS is blessed,studying is blessed....lol. if you are not receiving his SPECIAL blessings maybe you need to re- evaluate your prayer type.

You are FREE to agree or disagree. You live your life according to his leading and I will follow his way in my life!

Okay fair enough. Let's agree, though, that after it's all said and done in our prayers we should always say "Your will be done?"

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Okay fair enough. Let's agree, though, that after it's all said and done in our prayers we should always say "Your will be done?"

amen our prayers should always be about his Will , and not our own independent will

 

[JStates]

With respect, that sounds so 'holy' but is inconsistent with the witness of Scripture. God wants us to share our hearts with Him; doing so builds relationship with Him. I agree in one respect: we should summarize our supplicatory prayers with "Your will be done" but that is not the only thing we should pray in supplication.

I've gotta say I strongly agree with you on this one, Dino.

God's will WILL BE done eventually. Seems kinda redundant to only pray that it will be. Hannah prayed for a child, which was not a need and not necessarily God's will for her... or at least, she could not have known if it was or not.

So I think in essence when we pray we are asking for things to be done for us if they are compatible with God's will.

Prayer is a bit of a mystery and a miracle when answered. I definitely don't have all the answers to how it works. I can say I've prayed for things for years that God didn't see fit to give, and clearly unbiblical choices of other humans actually prevented these prayers from being answered. Where does that leave me? Was I praying for the right things? Was God's will done in these things?

I don't know, and honestly God doesn't owe me an answer. But I'm still instructed to pray regardless. An exercise in faith I suppose.