Week 1: Introduction to God's Will in Prayer

Maturing in Prayer: Learning that God's Permissive Will is Not His Perfect Will • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

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Introduction to God's Will in Prayer

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Week 1: Introduction to God's Will in Prayer

Key Texts:

Matthew 6:9-10: "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'"1 John 5:14-15: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Historical Context and Background

Matthew 6:9-10 (The Lord’s Prayer):

Time Period: AD 28-29.

Context: This passage is part of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). At this time, the Jewish people placed significant importance on ritual prayers, such as the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and the Amidah (a set of 18 benedictions). While these prayers were recited multiple times daily, their meaning often became routine, and the heart of prayer was lost. The people were focused on outward piety and often neglected the deeper relational aspect of prayer with God. Jesus offers the Lord’s Prayer to shift their mindset from repetitive ritualism to a genuine, heart-aligned communication with God. His teaching emphasizes the Father-child relationship, inviting believers to approach God not merely as a distant, sovereign Lord but as a loving Father who desires intimate fellowship.

1 John 5:14-15:

Time Period: AD 85-95.Context: Written by the Apostle John during a period when the early church was grappling with heresies, particularly Gnosticism. Gnostics claimed secret knowledge of God and undermined the humanity and divinity of Christ. John's letter sought to reassure believers of the truth about Christ, their standing as children of God, and the confidence they could have in approaching God in prayer. At this time, the church was growing, but it also faced persecution and internal theological challenges. John emphasizes the assurance believers can have when praying according to God’s will, countering false teachings that undermined their confidence in knowing God and His desires for them.

Passage Analysis

Matthew 6:9-10:

Key Theme: Jesus teaches that prayer is fundamentally about aligning ourselves with God's desires, not imposing our own. The phrase "Your will be done" reveals the believer's posture of submission. The inclusion of "on earth as it is in heaven" shows that we are to seek God's perfect, righteous, and holy will to manifest in the present, not just in the future. Jesus' prayer provides a model for us to embrace God's sovereignty while earnestly seeking His intervention in the here and now.

1 John 5:14-15:

Key Theme: John assures believers that when we pray in accordance with God’s will, we can be confident that God hears us and answers. This passage challenges us to shift our prayers from focusing on personal desires to praying in line with God’s divine plan. Knowing God’s will means that we are confident, not in ourselves, but in His goodness and wisdom. Prayers prayed within God's will are always heard, even if they are not answered in the way we expect or in the timing we desire.

Text and Analysis

Matthew 6:9-10

"Your will be done" (Greek: thelēma): The word thelēma refers to God’s desire, purpose, or what He determines to be best. In this context, Jesus points us to the importance of seeking God’s perfect will, which is His ultimate desire for righteousness, justice, and holiness. This includes His redemptive plan for humanity, as well as the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

God’s permissive will allows things to happen that are outside His perfect will, such as sin and suffering, due to human free will. For example, while God permits human beings to make sinful choices, His perfect will is for us to live in holiness and obedience to Him.

Practical Example: Consider the story of the Israelites demanding a king (1 Samuel 8). Although God’s perfect will was for Him to be their King, He permitted their request for a human king, knowing it would lead to difficulties. God’s permissive will allowed it, but His perfect will was for them to live under His direct guidance.

Application: When you pray "Your will be done," reflect on areas of your life where you may be pursuing your own desires, even if God is allowing them. Ask God to reveal His perfect will, even if it requires sacrifice or change in your current direction. For example, if you are praying about a new job or relationship, seek to understand what God desires for you in that situation—His perfect will might lead you to delay a decision or pursue a different path than you anticipated.

1 John 5:14-15

Confidence in Prayer (Greek: parrēsia): The word parrēsia carries the idea of boldness or assurance, meaning that believers can confidently approach God, knowing that He hears us when we pray according to His will. John emphasizes that prayer is not about manipulating God to fulfill our wishes but about discovering and aligning with His will, which is always good and perfect.

Practical Example: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42). Jesus, in His humanity, prayed that the "cup" of suffering might be taken from Him, but He also prayed, "Yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus modeled how to pray with confidence, even when God's perfect will meant enduring hardship. He trusted in the Father’s greater plan, which ultimately led to salvation for all humanity.Application: In your prayer life, begin by asking God for wisdom and understanding of His will before presenting specific requests. For instance, before praying for healing or a breakthrough, ask God what His purpose may be in the situation. It might be that He is shaping your character or preparing you for something greater.

Preaching and Teaching Points

1. God’s Will in Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10):

Main Idea: Prayer is fundamentally about surrendering our will to God’s. It’s an act of trust, recognizing that God’s ways are higher than our own. When we say "Your will be done," we acknowledge that we may not fully understand God's plans, but we trust that He is good and wise.Application: Challenge students to adopt a posture of submission in their daily prayers. Before making requests, they should intentionally declare, "God, I want Your will more than my own." For example, in situations where we face uncertainty—like a major life decision, a financial crisis, or a strained relationship—encourage students to ask God to align their hearts with His desires.

2. Confidence in Prayer (1 John 5:14-15):

Main Idea: We can have bold confidence when we pray according to God’s will. This confidence is not based on our desires but on God’s promises. The more we understand God’s character and Word, the more we can pray confidently, knowing that He will answer according to His purposes.Application: Teach students to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in aligning their prayers with God’s will. For instance, when praying for provision or healing, instead of focusing on immediate relief, encourage prayers like, "God, if it is Your will, grant me healing, but I trust that You will sustain me and use this for Your glory regardless of the outcome."

3. Permissive vs. Perfect Will:

Main Idea: God allows certain things to happen in His permissive will (such as hardships, suffering, or even our mistakes), but we should always seek His perfect will in our lives. His perfect will reflects His ultimate plan for our good, including our sanctification and growth in holiness.Application: Lead the class in reflecting on times when their prayers were focused on their own desires. Invite them to reframe those prayers to seek God’s perfect will, even if it leads them in a different direction than they originally hoped. For instance, they may have prayed for a specific career opportunity that didn’t work out—perhaps God’s perfect will was to lead them to a different calling.

4. Discerning God's Will:

Main Idea: Prayer is as much about listening as it is asking. Discerning God’s will often requires time spent in quiet reflection, allowing God to speak to our hearts and guide our desires. Learning to listen to God's voice is essential for aligning with His will.Application: Encourage students to incorporate listening into their prayer routines. Have them spend five minutes in silence during their prayer time, asking God to reveal His will. For example, if a student is unsure about a future decision (such as a move, a new job, or a ministry role), they should take time to listen for God’s direction before making decisions.

Practical Examples for Teaching

Job Decisions: Imagine someone praying for a new job opportunity. While they might be tempted to pray for a higher salary or a better work environment, a prayer aligned with God’s will could focus on asking whether this opportunity will glorify Him or serve His purposes for their life. The person might ask, "Lord, is this where You want me to serve? Will this position help me grow closer to You or fulfill Your calling for my life?"

Family Relationships: A person struggling with a family conflict might be tempted to pray that God changes the other person’s heart or perspective. But a more aligned prayer could be, "God, show me Your will in this situation. Help me to be a reflection of Your love, and if it's Your will, bring peace to this relationship. But more than that, help me trust Your timing and purposes in this."

Reflection and Action for Students

Main Takeaways:

Prayer is not just about getting what we want but aligning ourselves with God’s perfect will.Confidence in prayer comes when we pray according to God’s will, not our own desires.God’s permissive will allows things to happen, but we are called to seek His perfect will, which leads to righteousness, peace, and holiness.

Personal Reflection:

What is one area in your life where you’ve been seeking your own will instead of God’s? How can you surrender that area to Him in prayer?Have there been times when your prayers were more focused on what you wanted rather than on seeking God’s will? How can you reshape those prayers?How can you incorporate listening into your prayer life to better discern God’s will?

Challenge for the Week:

Listening in Prayer: Each day this week, spend time in prayer not just asking, but listening. Ask God, “What is Your will in this situation?” and then sit in silence, waiting for His guidance. Journal what you hear and reflect on how God is shaping your desires.

Memory Verse:

Matthew 6:10: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

By the end of this week, you will have practiced aligning your heart with God’s will, gained more confidence in your prayer life, and developed a deeper understanding of how to seek His perfect will in every aspect of life.

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