"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 
1 John 5:14-15

Prayer is such a tremendous to gift to God’s children. It is a direct line of communication between the God of the universe and the men and women made in His image. Through whom we are reconciled to through Jesus Christ.

But how do we know we are praying according to God’s will?

You can be confidently assured you are praying the will of God when what you’re asking aligns up with the word of God. This begins to occur naturally in the secret place as your mind is consistently filled and renewed daily with God’s word. Your heart and the heart of God are in perfect agreement.

If your desire is to pray effective prayers, begin to fervently pray scripture. The word of God is powerful, alive, and if there is power of life and death in the tongue— praying scripture is speaking life abundantly.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”. The work of Holy Spirit is that we are transformed. As we behold our Lord Jesus day in and day out, looking to Him in all things, we will be completely changed.

As we grow in our relationship to Jesus Christ, and as the intimacy deepens, Jesus becomes the first Person we run to with all that we are. Our fears, hearts desires, dreams, worries, doubts, struggles— everything. We can cast our cares unto Him for He cares for us. Nothing is hidden from God. He knows our inmost being, and it is His desire to know us fully in relationship.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP) states that “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus”. I implore you, begin your prayers with gratitude to God. The promise of Romans 8:28 says, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Once this lands for you, you can know without a single doubt that God is always faithful. When trials come you can rest assured with a heart of gratitude that even before you perceive it— He will turn this for your good and His glory.

I’m sure you’ve heard it said before, that being in the will of God is the safest place you can be. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1. Not only is it the safest but it is the only way to produce anything of eternal value or significance. Apart from Him we can do nothing.

We know He hears us when seeking Him, knowing Him, and loving Him is the pursuit of our heart in truest sincerity. When His presence is more precious than gold. From this heart of humility and right standing, the petitions one asks God for are holy. They are petitioned from a soul, mind, spirit, body set apart from the world, sights fixed on an eternity of glory. The asks are prayed in rock solid faith, a heart so strongly knowing, “this IS the will of God and I am not going to stop pressing in Jesus name”.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness unto me. Let Your will be done in me. You’re will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lead me in the Way everlasting, that I may bear Your image from glory to glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen.