In the world today, we have many suggestions about the form our prayers should take.  The formulas for prayer are intended to be a guide for how to pray in the most meaningful way.  They tend to follow the Lord’s Prayer, the way Jesus taught us to pray.  Matthew 6:9-13

However, if prayer becomes only a formula, it takes on the characteristic of praying through it just to get it done.  As each component is completed, it is checked off and we go to the next step.  For many people, the guides to prayer are helpful because it helps keep them on track.  Lists are also helpful to many.  But, maybe we need to examine how we pray and ask ourselves the following questions.

1. Am I sincere about asking for God’s will to be done?

2. Am I honest with myself and with God?

3. Am I praying with eternity in mind?

Jesus tells us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Matthew 6:10 (NIV) When I pray for God’s will, I find that sometimes I want to start with my will and ask Him to make it His will for me!

Years ago, I prayed for a daughter.  God gave us two healthy wonderful sons.  I wouldn’t trade them for the world!  They are successful men and they love the Lord.  I couldn’t ever begin to ask for anyone different to be part of our family.  Admittedly, I was initially saddened that God didn’t see my will as His Will for me.  As I continued to pray and to ask God for His Will, He promised me that He would give me the desires of my heart.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

That promise was a comfort to my soul.  What God really wanted for me was Himself.  For me to know without a doubt that He loves me, and He wants my whole heart, soul, and mind.  He wanted me to take delight in Him, in knowing that He gave everything He had, for me.

His will isn’t just for me.  It is for YOU.  It is for the world.  He desires us to come to Him and make Him our delight.

John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Over the years, God followed through on His promise to me.  I have daughters of the heart and am thrilled for their presence in my life.

~ Take it to heart ~

Now, when I pray for God’s will…

1. I continue to learn to pray with a sincere heart that God’s will be done.

2. I continue to ask if I am honest with myself that I truly want God’s will to be done.

3. I continue to contemplate, with eternity in mind, what God’s will is.

Will you consider how you pray for God’s will?