DAY 2

ASK IN accordance with the will of god

If we’re going to ask and receive from God, it’s vital that our prayers are in line with His. Thankfully, He has given us His written Word, the Bible, which is full of wonderful promises, revealing what His will is for us. God wants to lavish good gifts upon His children, so when we pray according to His Word and promises, we can be confident we’re praying according to His will, ‘This is the confidence that we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.’ 1 John 5:14-15. It goes without saying that it is crucial to ask with the right motives. Ultimately, just like Jesus, we want our answered prayer to bring glory and honour to God’s name, ‘When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.’ James 4:3. Another important key to boldly asking God according to His will, is by fully surrendering our whole life to Him, ‘Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ Romans 12:1-2. Jesus also drives this point home when He says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7. As we ponder on these truths, let’s spend some time assessing whether Jesus is at the centre of everything we do, and let’s reassess our motives in everything we ask for.