By Pastor Pete Norris

There is a way in which we may know the will of God by the teaching of His Holy Spirit. There are many things that we need from God which are not covered by any specific promise. But, we are not in ignorance of the will of God even then. In Romans 8:26-27, we are told “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Here we are distinctly told that the Spirit of God prays in us and draws out our prayer, according to God’s will. When we are thus led by the Holy Spirit in any direction, to pray for any given object, we are to be assured that we will receive the very thing we ask of him, even though there is no specific promise to cover the case. Often, God by His Spirit lays a heavy burden of prayer for some given individual upon our heart. We cannot rest. We pray for him with groaning which cannot be uttered. Perhaps the man is entirely beyond our reach, but God hears the prayer. And, in many cases, it is not long before we hear of his definite conversion.

The passage in 1 John 5:14-15 is one of the most abused passages in the Bible. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” The Holy Spirit, without a doubt, put this passage into the Bible to encourage our faith. It begins with “And this is the confidence that we have in him...” and closes with “we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” But, one of the most frequent usages of this passage, which was so manifestly given to bring confidence, is to introduce an element of uncertainty into our prayers.

Doubtless, there are many times when we do not know the will of God; and submission to the excellent will of God should be the basis for all prayer. But, when we know God’s will, there need be no “ifs.” This passage was not put into the Bible so that we could introduce “ifs” into all our prayers, but so that we could throw our “ifs” to the wind and have “confidence” and “know that we have the petitions which we have asked of Him.” I Corinthians 2:9-10 – “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Are you praying the will of God? Please learn to listen to the inner man.