“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” – 1 John 5:14 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
Every believer desires to have an effective prayer life — one where our petitions are not only heard but aligned with God’s perfect will. Yet, many are plagued by this critical and often humbling question: “How can I be sure I am praying according to the will of God?”
Prayer is more than the act of asking — it is the posture of the heart before a sovereign, loving Father. To pray according to God’s will is not merely to recite words, but to enter into fellowship with Him in trust, surrender, and obedience. It is to seek His desires above our own, and to align our hearts with His purposes rather than treating prayer as a list of demands.
In today’s article, we explore seven biblical principles that can guide every believer toward a richer, more purposeful prayer life — one that honors God and is grounded in the assurance that He hears us when we pray in accordance with His will.
1. Pray for What the Bible Commands
One of the clearest indicators that we are praying according to God’s will is when our prayers align with His revealed Word. Scripture commands us to pray for specific things — including our enemies (Matthew 5:44), for laborers in the harvest (Luke 10:2), for strength to resist temptation (Matthew 26:41), for ministers of the Word (Colossians 4:3), and for our government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–3).
When we pray along these lines, we can be assured that we are walking in obedience and in step with the heart of God. His promises and commands are not hidden mysteries — they are spiritual guides to shape our desires and align them with His divine plan.
2. Follow the Example of Godly Men and Women
Throughout the Bible, we see powerful examples of prayer that pleased God. Paul’s deep longing was for Israel to be saved (Romans 10:1). David pleaded for mercy after falling into sin (Psalm 51). The early church prayed for boldness to preach amidst persecution (Acts 4:29).
These examples encourage us to pray with authenticity. Are we praying for the salvation of others as Paul did? Are we confessing our sins and seeking renewal like David? Are we bold in prayer for the Gospel to advance, even when it’s unpopular? Emulating these godly models helps us keep our prayers grounded in humility, sincerity, and eternal purpose.
3. Examine Your Motives
James 4:3 warns us clearly: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…” God is not moved by selfish ambition, showy words, or vain repetition. He searches the heart and weighs every motive behind our words.
Prayers offered with pride, vengeance, greed, or self-glory miss the mark. God invites us to approach Him in purity and with the right intention — not to manipulate Him into granting our desires, but to align ourselves with His.
This is why Jesus instructed us to pray in private and not for show (Matthew 6:5–6). In the secret place, pretenses fall away and only sincere worship remains. If we want our prayers to align with God’s will, we must continually examine our hearts and ask the Spirit to purify our motives.
4. Cultivate a Spirit of Forgiveness
Jesus taught that before offering our gifts at the altar, we must reconcile with those who have wronged us (Matthew 5:23–24). In Mark 11:25, He also said, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them…”
Bitterness and unforgiveness act like spiritual blocks. They clog the channel through which our prayers ascend to heaven. A heart at odds with others cannot truly be in harmony with God.
To pray effectively and according to God’s will, we must regularly check our hearts for resentment and ask the Holy Spirit to help us release it. Prayer is most powerful when it flows from a heart that is clean, contrite, and compassionate.
5. Pray with Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6 instructs us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. Gratitude is a critical posture in prayer. It reminds us of God’s past faithfulness and stirs our faith for present challenges.
Even in suffering, the believer can find reason to give thanks. The breath in our lungs, the promise of eternal life, the companionship of the Holy Spirit — these are treasures no circumstance can take away.
A heart full of thanksgiving is a heart aligned with the will of God. It reflects contentment, trust, and reverence. When we thank God even before the answer comes, we declare that His timing and methods are perfect.
6. Persist in Prayer
Jesus taught persistence in prayer through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1), and Paul exhorted us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We often mistake silence for denial. But sometimes, God delays answers not because He hasn’t heard us, but because He’s preparing us. His silence may be building our faith, teaching us patience, or working things out behind the scenes in ways we can’t yet see.
Praying according to God’s will includes the understanding that God’s “yes” may not come instantly — and His “no” may be protecting us from something lesser. Whatever the answer, persistence shows our trust in His sovereignty.
7. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s Help
One of the most comforting truths about prayer is found in Romans 8:26–27: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…” There are moments in our lives when words fail us. Grief, confusion, or weariness can make prayer seem impossible.
Yet, even in those times, the Spirit of God is active — groaning, interceding, and translating our deepest needs to the Father. This is divine assurance that we are never praying alone. The Holy Spirit not only strengthens our prayers but ensures they align with the will of God.
When we rely on the Spirit, we are kept from praying amiss. We are drawn closer to the heart of God and taught to yield when we’d rather resist.
CONCLUSION
Praying according to the will of God is not reserved for spiritual elites — it is the privilege of every believer who desires a deeper walk with the Father. As we seek wisdom (James 1:5), trust His goodness, examine our motives, forgive others, give thanks, persist, and lean on the Spirit, we align our prayers with heaven’s priorities.
And here lies the beautiful promise: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). This gives us confidence — not only that our prayers reach God’s throne but that they carry His power, His timing, and His purpose.
May we never grow weary of praying — and may we always grow deeper in understanding and aligning with God’s perfect will.
Remain Blessed!
Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.
