I’M GLAD YOU ASKED …Q. In Sunday School we talked about God’s will; how do I know if I’m praying outside the will of God? A. There’s an easy test … “is my prayer consistent with what Scripture teache

I’M GLAD YOU ASKED …

Q. In Sunday School we talked about God’s will; how do I know if I’m praying outside the will of God?

A. There’s an easy test … “is my prayer consistent with what Scripture teaches?” Let me suggest an obvious scenario to show what I mean. Suppose we have Christian who has been unemployed for some time. He needs money, so he begins to pray that he won’t get caught when he robs a gas station. That’s praying outside the will of God. Scripture teaches … “Do not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) Here’s a less obvious example. A Christian woman is asking God to bless her upcoming marriage to a non-Christian … is that praying in or out of God’s will? We read in Scripture, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) It would appear that God has already declared His will concerning that. Now situations may come up where answers can’t be found in Scripture. In this case, find a person who is mature in the faith and seek his/her counsel. Finally, listen to your heart. If you have sincerely prayed about something, and don’t have a peace about it, that’s probably The Holy Spirit prompting that what you’re about to do isn’t God’s will for you. Hope this has been helpful.
I’ll see you in Church (& Sunday School) …
Rande

Some of the dilemmas include...

1. God's prayer assignment. Sometimes we take up assignments He never intended for us to bear. I receive dozens of prayer requests from around the world every day. Knowing which ones, if any of them, are my assignments is important. New people of prayer often feel any request for prayer should be met with a "yes."
2. Requests from people referring to their relationships should be carefully considered. I receive requests from people wanting me to pray that God will give a particular man or woman affection for them. They feel like God has told them that they are to marry that person.
     I don't know either. There is no way I can pray in that instance.
     Some want prayer about their relationship with their husband or wife. "Please pray that my mate will begin to..." Again, I know nothing about the dynamics of that marriage. There is no way I can accept that request.
     Some want prayer about their relationship with their boss. I don't know their boss, them, or anything about their work ethic. I can't pray into that matter.
     Some ask for prayer for things "anonymously." I NEVER accept a request like that. If they don't care enough to identify themselves, I dismiss the request.
     Some want prayer that God will change their pastor. Again, I don't know their pastor.
     Finally, some want prayer for finances. If they haven't paid their bills, won't hold a job, don't tithe and support the work of the Lord, I can't pray into that matter either.

One of the most important words a person of prayer can learn to say is, "no."

There are times however, when the prayer request is sincere and doesn't seem to violate any of the above. In those cases, I simply don't have a conviction that bearing that burden in prayer is mine. So, I either pray immediately for it; or I offer to pray for a specific period of time (partly in search of God's will for me). I'll agree to pray for the next three days. If God requires that I pray longer, I will continue.

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Eddie Smith February 11, 2014 12:45

Some of the dilemmas include...

1. God's prayer assignment. Sometimes we take up assignments He never intended for us to bear. I receive dozens of prayer requests from around the world every day. Knowing which ones, if any of them, are my assignments is important. New people of prayer often feel any request for prayer should be met with a "yes."
2. Requests from people referring to their relationships should be carefully considered. I receive requests from people wanting me to pray that God will give a particular man or woman affection for them. They feel like God has told them that they are to marry that person.
     I don't know either. There is no way I can pray in that instance.
     Some want prayer about their relationship with their husband or wife. "Please pray that my mate will begin to..." Again, I know nothing about the dynamics of that marriage. There is no way I can accept that request.
     Some want prayer about their relationship with their boss. I don't know their boss, them, or anything about their work ethic. I can't pray into that matter.
     Some ask for prayer for things "anonymously." I NEVER accept a request like that. If they don't care enough to identify themselves, I dismiss the request.
     Some want prayer that God will change their pastor. Again, I don't know their pastor.
     Finally, some want prayer for finances. If they haven't paid their bills, won't hold a job, don't tithe and support the work of the Lord, I can't pray into that matter either.

     One of the most important words a person of prayer can learn to say is, "no."

     There are times however, when the prayer request is sincere and doesn't seem to violate any of the above. In those cases, I simply don't have a conviction that bearing that burden in prayer is mine. So, I either pray immediately for it; or I offer to pray for a specific period of time (partly in search of God's will for me). I'll agree to pray for the next three days. If God requires that I pray longer, I will continue.

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