(3) Prayer is effective when it is in harmony or agreement with God’s will and Word. “This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us,” (1Jn 5:14). One of the petitions in Jesus’ model prayer, the Lord’s prayer, confirms this: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” (Mat 6:10; cf.
Lk. 11:2; Jesus’ own prayer in Gethsemane, Mat. 26:42).
In many instances, we know God’s will because He has revealed it to us in the Bible. We can be sure that any prayer truly based on God’s promises in His word will, indeed, be effective. Elijah was certain that the God of Israel would answer his prayer with fire and later with rain because the Lord’s prophetic word had come to him (1 Kgs 18:31-46), and he was fully confident that none of the pagan gods was greater than or even as powerful as the Lord God of Israel (Kig 18:21-24).
At other times, God’s will comes clear only as we earnestly seek to determine what it is; then once we know His will about any given issue, we can pray with confidence and faith that God will answer (see 1Jn 5:14). (4) Not only must we pray in agreement with God’s will, but we must be living in harmony with God’s will if we expect Him to hear and answer us. God will give us the things we ask for only if we seek first His kingdom and righteousness (see Mat 6:33).
Apostle John unequivocally stated that “whatsoever we ask, we receive ofhim, because we keep his commandments, and.
