The Confidence of Knowing He Hears
“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 John 5:14-15 NASB).
Notice the certainty: "we know that we have the requests." Not "we hope" or "we might get." When prayer aligns with God's will, the answer is guaranteed. But how do we know His will? The Holy Spirit shows us:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans… the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will” (Romans 8:26-27).
The Spirit doesn't pray our wishes; He prays God's purpose. Every answered prayer carries His will like DNA.
When Jesus Prayed Outside God's Will
Look at Gethsemane. Jesus, perfect and sinless, prayed: "Let this cup pass from Me." Deeply honest. But God couldn't answer – because it contradicted the eternal purpose. The cross was God's will. Jesus submitted: "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).
That prayer teaches us: even Jesus' desires bowed to the Father's plan. What was that plan? The cross. Redemption. Jesus Himself becoming our salvation. God's will wasn't avoiding suffering; it was Jesus fulfilling everything.
Jesus IS the Will of God
What is God's will? Simply Jesus.
Every promise, every blessing, every provision flows through Him.
- The Father said at His baptism: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
- At the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!" (Mark 9:7).
- Jesus declared: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things" (Romans 11:36). Everything starts, flows, and ends in Jesus. When we pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10), we're praying Jesus' reign, Jesus' rule, Jesus' reality into our lives.
Prayer First Brings Peace – Because It's Jesus
God doesn't want you chasing things; He wants you satisfied in Him. That's why the first answer to prayer is always peace:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
"Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be full" (John 16:24 NASB).
That joy? That peace? It's Jesus offering Himself. Not money, not breakthrough, not marriage – Jesus first. When He fills you, everything else aligns. John 14:27 says, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives." Worldly answers bring temporary relief; Jesus brings eternal satisfaction.
God Prompts the Prayers He Answers
No man turns God's hand. Even Elijah waited for instruction: "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain" (1 Kings 18:1). God told Elijah what to pray before rain fell. Daniel saw Jeremiah's prophecy about 70 years (Daniel 9:2), then fasted and prayed – right on God's timing.
Prayer is prophetic. It's timed. If Israel prayed to leave Egypt before 400 years, God wouldn't hear. Why? His purpose unfolded through seasons. So when trouble hits, don't panic-pray. Find God's will first. That will brings comfort. Jesus prayed in every trial – and every time, His submission released resurrection power.
Supplication Must Glorify God
Asking in His name means your testimony lifts Him: "You asked God for something, and God used what you asked to glorify Himself." Problems come because we dictate solutions: "Heal me this way!" When God answers differently, we quit.
Prayer is God teaching us His will. Don't worry about time – God controls time. Find Scripture for your situation. Sit on it. Declare it. Like Mary: "Let it be to me according to Your word" (Luke 1:38).
God answers for two reasons:
- You are His child.
- What you pray aligns with His will.
How to Pray According to God's Will
- Pray for wisdom first: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously" (James 1:5).
- Pray in faith: "But he must ask in faith without doubting" (James 1:6).
- Pray in Jesus' name: For the Father's glory (John 14:
- Pray with thanksgiving: For who He is, what He's done.
- Pray the Word: Scripture guarantees alignment.
- Follow the Holy Spirit: He prays perfectly according to God's will (Romans 8:26).
The Ultimate Prayer: More of Jesus
When life hurts, pray for more of Him. Every trial is an invitation to know Jesus deeper – the provision, the peace, the power. "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things" (Jeremiah 33:3). What He shows? Himself.
Believers, stop begging for things outside Jesus. Pray Jesus into your marriage, finances, health, calling. He is the will. He is the answer. He is everything.
Next time you kneel, pray: "Father, let Your will – Jesus – fill this situation completely." Watch heaven move.
Stay grounded. Pray His will. See His glory.
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