Not My Will

Prayer courtesy of Google Images

Would I be mistaken to say that everyone wants a guarantee?

Whether it's a major purchase like an automobile, a home, a furnace, a television, a computer, or something less costly like a gallon of milk, we want to be assured of quality.

There is no difference in prayer. We want to know that our prayers are heard, but also that they will be answered. Not some birthday wish, but every time we call on Him and say, "Please, God, fill this need." 

Scripture tells us in several places that when we ask believing we have received, it will be ours (John 16:24; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:15; Mark 11:24; John 14:13). 

I would like to both encourage and caution us in this. Here's why:

It's tempting to decide for ourselves what is best for us. We present our requests to the Lord, and expect Him to comply. We quote our favorite Scriptures back to Him, knowing this will oblige Him to fulfill His promise to us. And while this is not entirely wrong, it holds dangerous barbs that may eventually cut and scar us.

It wasn't long ago that I realized I held some resistance to prayer. I'd fallen for the trap that if I had prayed hard enough, quoted the right scriptures, and believed without any doubt, my prayers would be answered. In the end, my friend left this earth for heaven, and my heart shattered, leaving me with self-doubt, guilt, and shame. Either I didn't believe enough, or something was wrong with my approach to the Scripture.

David and the Ark of the Covenant

King David encountered something similar. He heard the ark had been sent back to the area. And he, with several of his men, went to retrieve it from the Philistines. The people celebrated. They had defeated their enemy and reclaimed the Ark of the Covenant. Then, the unthinkable. The oxen pulling the cart that carried the ark stumbled. Uzzah, one of David's men, reached out his hand to steady it. And he was struck down and died. 

David returned home, angry with the LORD, for it was a good thing they were doing, wasn't it? Shouldn't God have been pleased that they were bringing this sacred piece of the temple back to its rightful place, Israel? Instead of completing its journey, David left it at the home of Obed-Edom, where it remained for three months. During this time, David spent his days researching the Scripture to learn God's prescribed method of transporting the Ark.

After three months, the Ark was retrieved and brought home. This time, David brought the priests and the animals for sacrifice. He ensured everything was done according to God's instructions. And there was an abundance of rejoicing, dancing, and worship (2 Samuel 6).

In Acts 13:22, David is called a man after God's own heart. This man made many mistakes, including adultery and murder, and yet was noted by God himself as being one who does His will.

Similarly, when we look to God for answers, and receive anything but our desired response, we need to go back and learn. 

Was our request our will, or God's?

Just because it's a good thing doesn't always mean it's God's will.

Remember David and the Ark? His desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem was good. His heart was pure in this. But it wasn't God's prescribed method, and David saw disappointment, even frustration in his plan.

What could be missing from our prayer requests?

John wrote, "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us (1 John 5:14 ESV). If we were to go back to the Lord's Prayer (Model Prayer) in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches His disciples (us) to pray, asking for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven. We also witness Jesus telling His disciples, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever teh Father does, that the Son does likewise" (John 5:19). Later, when Jesus was in the garden at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39), we see Jesus praying, ending with "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (v39).

Are we asking according to His will?

Are we willing to give up our own idea of His will and surrender to His?

Just like bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem was a good thing, doing it in the manner that God will bless is vital. Working extra hours to pay the bills is good motivation, but is it God's plan? Perhaps He wants to show Himself strong on your behalf.

Don't sacrifice God's best for what we believe is good.

Spend time in His presence. Ask, as Solomon did, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (1Kings 3:9 ESV).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV

Until we meet again, Karlene J 💝