June 2003
Praying According to God’s Word
While preparing to probate my Dad’s will I was confident that his wishes would be fulfilled. How did I know what he wanted me to do? He had left his last will – an official document that his attorney had written for him. My Dad’s signature and the signatures of witnesses are on the final page. I don’t have to fumble through wondering what to do or how to do it. Everything is spelled out – line upon line. While he was living he followed the example of our Heavenly Father who also wrote out His will and testament for His children. But the word of the Lord… precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little…(Isaiah 28:13).
As I was praying for you, the Holy Spirit reminded me about the early beginnings of the Prayers That Avail Much® series. That very first one (known by many as the little yellow book) and the books that have followed are Scriptural prayers taken directly from God’s will. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:14-15).
How do we know God’s will? Men inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote down God’s word so we can understand what he desires for His children – His plan is revealed in a language that we can comprehend. We can know what to do and how to do it right. It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13 The Message).
We can take our place as the children of God, and know Him intimately. I am so thankful for those years when I spent precious hours with His Word, the Holy Spirit, my pen and paper. Had I not known God’s will for my children what would have become of us as a family? I shudder to think about it.
It was in the 1970’s that a crisis walked through the front door of our home. Our lives would never be the same. During the years just prior to this situation I had been developing a personal relationship with God my Father. He loved me and I loved him, and I knew that I could trust Him with our oldest child who was now a stranger to us.
Regardless of Satan’s strategies to destroy our son, David, over the next 30 years, our God proved again and again that His Word was His will for David. I searched the Scriptures, and wrote many prayers. When I was tempted to doubt, and my emotions screamed to be heard, I would get out those prayers and read them aloud knowing that God was and continues to watch over His Word to perform it. I’m not sure when I entered into a lasting agreement with the Father – but a day came when I knew beyond any doubt that Jesus had defeated Satan, and I knew that David would be delivered out of the strange land, and walk in paths of righteousness.
Praise God! He is a God of new beginnings. David is Prayer Coordinator for Word Ministries. His testimony is now on video and audiotape. You will be encouraged when you hear his message of the Father’s love, and how God brought him to the place of decision. To order please contact our offices 770.518.1065, or contact us @ www.prayers.org.
God’s ears are open to the prayers of His children. The following is the devotional for May 18th from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s book, Faith to Faith.
God is Listening
Have you ever been in prayer and suddenly had the disturbing sensation that God simply isn’t listening?
It’s happened to all of us. We limp along praying the same old prayers, half-hoping those prayers are heard and half-suspecting they’re not.
Today I want to show you how to resolve that dilemma once and for all. But let me warn you, I’m not going to slap you on the back and assure you God will listen to any old doubtful, self-centered thing you say to Him. He won’t. He’s only promised to listen to prayers that are prayed according to His will. The Apostle John says when you pray like that, you’ll know that you have the petitions you desire of Him.
The word petition is defined as “a formal written request addressed to a sovereign superior of a particular right or grace,” and that’s exactly what you need when you’re praying about something serious.
How do you put together a solid petition, one that’s in line with the will of God?
First, you have to roll up your sleeves and dig into the written Word. Find scriptures that apply to your situation and make those the foundation for your petition.
Then get on your knees and consult with the Holy Spirit. Let Him help you develop your petition in detail. The best way to do that is to spend time praying in other tongues. (See Romans 8:26-27.) Expect God to reveal things from His heart to yours. He wants you to know His will. So, while you’re praying, listen!
Last of all, write it down. Make a formal written request by writing down every scripture you found. Also, as you’re listening to the Holy Spirit for the details, write down the impressions and ideas He gives you.
Take your time. Let the Spirit develop your prayer. Let the truth He reveals to you settle in and begin to work in you. Get your petition firmly in mind, then when you’re ready, present it to God.
Believe me, He’ll be listening.
Scripture Study: 1 John 5:1-15
Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.