Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In our last post, we addressed a question that often hinders the prayer life of those who believe God’s sovereignty is absolute: “If God is sovereign, why pray?” This is not a problem for those who believe God’s sovereignty is limited and conditional. But that is contrary to Scripture. Attempting to reconcile the issue by reinterpreting God’s Word to conform with human understanding is not only rationalization; it is idolatry. The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 1:20).
After one is convinced that biblical faithfulness requires belief in the absolute sovereignty of God, another question arises: “Since God is sovereign, what should I pray?” In other words, since God has unalterably ordained whatsoever comes to pass, doesn’t this render my petitions irrelevant? What should my supplications look like? In our last post, we noted that, although our prayers do not change God’s will, they are a means of aligning our wills with His.
In prayer we declare God’s perfections. His majesty, holiness, goodness and all-sufficiency, and our own emptiness and unworthiness, our needs and desires? But why? Not to inform God of these things, for He knows them anyway, and certainly not to change His purposes and persuade Him that He ought to bless us. No, but we declare these things to move and effect our own hearts with what we express, and in this way to prepare ourselves to receive that blessing we ask.
Jonathan Edwards
When we are at a loss for what to pray, it often exposes a far too narrow view of prayer. Many people today see prayer, first and foremost, as asking God to do what we think we would like for Him to do. We ask God to do what we think would please us. When most people talk about prayer, they are referring to petitions, making requests of God. While petitions are certainly a part of prayer, prayer is so much more than reading God our suggestions for His “to do” list. It is more than telling God what we would prefer to happen or something we would like to have. If that is all prayer is to us then we are selfish, immature, and shallow people. Though Scripture tells us to make our definite requests known to the Lord (Philippians 4:6), we should do so with an attitude of humility. God knows best. In future posts we will consider the many aspects of prayer.
With regard to our petitions, John tells us we should pray according to God’s will (1 John 5:14). But, to pray God’s will we must know His will. To know His will we must know His Word. Though God will certainly accomplish what He has revealed as His will, we should pray for the Lord to do what He has promised. Scripture provides many examples. The Apostle Paul prays for God bring His purposes to pass. God has granted us wisdom and knowledge in Christ, yet Paul prays for God to fill His people with a knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10). We are told we have been made one in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16), yet Paul prays that the saints might live in one accord (Romans 15:5-6). God showed Habakkuk what He was about to do and then the prophet prays for the Lord to bring that work to pass (Habakkuk 3:1-2). Scripture is filled with many such examples of God’s people praying for the Lord to fulfill His purpose. When we pray according to God’s will, He delights in answering those prayers.
This is not to say we should not bring other specific situational requests before God. As the Psalmist admonishes God’s people, “Pour out your heart to the Lord” (Psalm 62:8). As Peter tells us, we should cast our cares on the Lord for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). However, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior, we will grow wiser in the petitions we bring to God. As we make requests of the Lord, humility demands that we always include this caveat, “If it be Your will!”
In our next post, we will consider a prayer of Hezekiah that is often cited as proof for God changing His mind as the result of fervent prayer.
