1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

This is a true statement and worthy of our belief. Our problem is not in our confidence, our problem is in seeking His will. So often we pray about things we care about and assume that because we care about it, then it is within His will.

So often we pray without seeking His will because it is the easier thing to do. We rely on scriptures like the woman that hounded the unworthy judge and got her way and think that if we but hound our God we will get Him to bend His will to ours. It does work that way.

I do not say this to discourage anyone from praying. I would hope that a proper understanding might bring us all to a fervent effectual prayer life that is based on seeking God’s will first and then praying.

What is God’s will?

There are the basic wills which are centered on God’s character and commands. Those do not change. You know what they are because you have read the scriptures and understand His word. Then there are His personal wills. Those are centered in our personal relationship with God. Those are personal, no one else can know them or pray for them because only you can evoke the blessings based on your personal relationship with God.

What are they? I don’t know, it’s your relationship, you have to seek Him for yourself.

How much time do you spend seeking God’s will?