And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15
While walking to post a letter this morning I was praying about certain needs in my life. Like the next guy, I have a few ill family members and a selection of personal needs that I’m waiting on the Lord to provide. As I walked, I prayed for God to meet these needs. I know the Bible tells us that God hears our prayers but how certain can I be that I’m praying according to his will?
Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you. For everyone who asks receives.” Yet in John’s first epistle we read, “If we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” In normal society, a person’s will is a written document specifying the conditions of the distribution of the inheritance at his death. Jesus left his disciples – you and me – an inheritance when he died. You’re in his will! The conditions of your inheritance are found in Jesus’ last will and testament – the New Testament, where his words are found. Therefore, to know if you are asking according to his will you need to ask according to his Word. God’s Word is God’s will.
So, Jesus died and left you an inheritance in his will. Part of that inheritance is forgiveness of sins and new life. However, this new life would be of no use to us if Jesus was dead. Thankfully (and this is the really good news) Jesus did not remain dead. Three days after he died, Jesus came alive again. Because he died, you are mentioned in his will. Because he rose again, you have new life and are seated in Christ in heavenly places. So, when you ask according to his Word you are asking according to his will. And because you are seated in Christ you are praying from a heavenly vantage point; you approach the throne of God in Christ.
Your authority for answered prayer; your credentials to pray according to the will of God is to pray with confidence, according to his Word, in Christ and Christ in you.
So, I pray from my heavenly vantage point, in the name of Jesus.
“Dear Lord, I know you hear my prayers, always. Help me to study your Word that I may know your will for every situation I face in life. I do know, however, that your Word says that it is your will to heal the sick… by your wounds, we have been healed. Your Word is your will. So, I pray for every sick person in my family and lay claim to my inheritance in your will that you will heal their infirmities and frailties. You are the LORD who heals us. Thank you that I am found in Christ and he is in me. So, I pray from my heavenly vantage point, in the name of Jesus. Amen.”