Speaking His Will

Knowing, Asking, Walking

Bible Passage: 1 John 5:14–15, 1 John 5:2, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 3:5–6, Ephesians 5:15–17, Colossians 1:9–10, Psalm 143:10

Pray with Purpose: Praying His Will

1 John 5:14–15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

This begs the important question, “what is the will of God?” In this context it speaks of the expressed commandments or the declared will of God. We are to pray about the things that God wants. What percentage of prayer is our desire and what is God’s?

For the New Testament believer the commandments of God where summed up by Jesus in Mt 22:36-40 as love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

When praying then seek heart of God first. That is the secret to answered prayer.

1. What’s in the Name? - WWJP

1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

We start our Christian life by faith in the Son of God for the promise of everlasting life. Now saved we walk the Christian life by continuing to believe in the name of Jesus. I live by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20).

It is interesting that we are commanded to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13–14 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” ; John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” ; John 16:23–24 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” ).

Praying in His name is simply according to His Nature and Character. A few years ago everyone was wearing bracelets with WWJD (what would Jesus do?) printed on them. The question in front of us is What Would Jesus Pray? Heb 7:25 tells us He always lives to make intercession. For deliverances, patience in trials, escape of temptation. I don’t see a new car in there, but…

1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.”

Simply put, keeping His commandments is walking in His will. And where do we find these commandments? Where are we instructed WWJP?

2. That You May Prove

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Where do we find the will of God? Where do we find the information that will transform us and renew our minds?

What does it mean to prove what is the will of God? The word prove in Greek is δοκιμάζω dokimazo. It means to examine, test, and approve. Romans 2:18 uses δοκιμάζω dokimazo as approve, “and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,”

We are to examine things with a discriminating eye through the lens of scripture. The word of God becomes the standard by which things of this world and our decisions are based. Failing to do this we are tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14).

Reading, studying, and meditating on scripture is how we prepare our heart and mind to walk in this present age.

3. Trust and Acknowledge

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

We pray in Jesus name and according to His will. We walk first by understanding His word and then proving all things against that standard.

Walk Wisely Everyday

Ephesians 5:15–17 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Redeeming the Time

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Fruitful Living Through Knowledge

Colossians 1:9–10 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Walk worthy

Fully pleasing Him

Being fruitful

Increasing in the knowledge of God

Whatever we are doing in life we should ensure we are knowing, asking, and walking in the will of God, His commandments. Jesus summed them up in Love 1. God 2. Self 3. Family 4. Neighbor.