First, will what we ask of God…bring glory to God? We all have needs, desires, wants, and we want our prayers answered. Our prayers should bring God glory. Ask God for wisdom James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” When we go to God in prayer, we really need to trust God that He is also willing to answer our prayers. Don’t doubt! James 1:6 says, “6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” Mark 11:24 says, “24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” So, praying according to the will of God includes asking for wisdom (to know the will of God) and asking in faith (to trust the will of God).
Pray for your enemies
We are told to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) 44 [a]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”. That’s a hard one for a lot of people. They will say, “but, you don’t know what they did to me.” No, I don’t, but God does and it is God telling us to pray for our enemies. That doesn’t mean what they did was okay or somehow will be okay…but it sure will make your heart feel better.
Pray so you don’t fall into temptation
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. Pray so that you won’t enter into temptation for in this world temptations come in all sizes, from all places, and especially when we are not staying prayed up.
Pray for ministers of the Word:
Colossians 4:3 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the [a]mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains
2 Thessalonians 3:1 3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
Pray for government authorities and all men
2 Therefore I [a]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in [b]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and [c]reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
16 [a]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
Pray for relief of affliction.
James 5:13 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Where God commands us to pray about certain things you are praying according to His will
Pray for the salvation of others
Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for a]Israel is that they may be saved.” This means that you can pray for others to be saved.
Pray for mercy and forgiveness whenever you sin
Psalm 51:1-2
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
Pray for boldness to witness to others
Acts 4:29 “29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word”
Note: Always pray when you sin and that you are aware of your sins. Always pray for the salvation of others. Bring your requests before God and just talk to Him as your best friend for that is what He is.
Pray that you pray with the right motivation
James 4:3 “3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” When we pray with wrong motives or selfish motives then God does not bless it. Such as praying for money just to spend on pleasures.
Pray in private not so you can be seen by man
Matthew 6:5-6 “5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the a]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you b]openly.”
Pray with a spirit of forgiveness towards others in your heart
Mark 11:25 “25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” When we hold onto a spirit of bitterness, anger, revenge, and hatred we prevent our hearts from asking God rightly for things.” God does not want the offering of our prayers until we have reconciled with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pray with thanksgiving
Colossians 4:2 “2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”
Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
There is always, always, always something to be thankful for. Even during the roughest storms we can thank God for something. Always be grateful.
Pray with persistence
Luke 18:1 “18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 pray without ceasing”
Always persevere in your praying. Don’t quit, and never give up praying. Don’t feel dejected when you don’t get something answered right away. Believe that God will answer you. When we pray we might very well hear yes, no, or you have to wait. Whatever the answer is for the time being…keep praying and trusting God for if and when we pray we are submitting to His will and when we do that…at the right time God will answer our prayer.
Always rely on the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:26-27 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” We really don’t always know what we should pray for, but when we rely on the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. At the times of our deepest depression or sorrow, those times when we feel that we “just cannot pray,” we have the comfort of knowing that the Holy Spirit is actually praying for us!
The Holy Spirit presents our prayers to God
Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The Holy Spirit was given to believers to live in them, walk with them, help them, and to show them the way. We can rest in that knowing that God placed the Holy Spirit in us to help us.
A prayer:
Heavenly Father, it is my desire to do Your will in my life and I have been praying how I may find out how to know what Your will is, so that I can do Your will in my life. Help me to walk in spirit and truth, and to always pray according to your will and your truth, and give me the ability to be thankful in all things, even those times that prove to be the most difficult and frustrating. Lord, many times I just wish that you would let me know with all clarity that I am praying your will be done and believing that you will place your will in my heart and mind so that what I pray for always lines up with your word. Help me to stay on your course never moving from it. Help me to lay aside my personal, emotional, and all ways that don’t line up with you so that your will can be done in my life. Equip me, I pray to recognize your ways and never deviate from them. Give me wisdom, strength, knowledge, and understanding of all your word. Oh Lord, tenderisse my heart so I can hear, feel, and discern your word and the things I am doing will always line up with your word. Help me to understand, even when I don’t see it…that even waiting is of you and that when I persevere you are still in the situation. Help me always to stay focused on you and never draw away from that. Draw me closer each and every day I pray. I am part of your creation Lord. Please place your hedge of protection around me and all those I love and care about. Wrap us up under your wings Lord. Send out your mighty angels to protect our way. Help me to grow in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and mature in the faith, knowing that this is Your will for my life. In Jesus mighty name. Amen
Lord, let my prayers reach you in heaven and may they please you. Lord, I pray for America, for our President and those in authority that they walk in your ways and do things your way. I pray against all corruption, fraud, injustice, and I ask you to please protect America from the evil ones out there. That you will expose all the evil and bring them to your justice. In Jesus’ name. Amen
God hears our prayers, but when He changes what He says He will do, it is because He wills to change. We have no power to make God change His direction, but we should feel free to ask according to His will. Perhaps our fervent prayers will cause God to reconsider what He is about to do. God decides whether and when He will change, after He hears us. Our fervent prayers can move mountains.
Pray according to His will. This is not all we can pray for, but an example of what we should that is in His will. Stand on His word, walk in His ways, and stay focused on Jesus. You will be victorious.