Knowing His will

Some people wonder how God can answer the prayers of billions of people at the same time. This question reminds me of the increase in computer technology over recent years. I remember a time when a computer's RAM or memory was measured in kilobytes not gigabytes! Over the years, I've watched with amazement how this capacity has increased. If a computer is able to perform multiple functions concurrently, why would we doubt the ability of God, who sees and knows all, to answer our prayers simultaneously.

When we pray, we join ourselves to a God who sees and knows everything. Paul said the love of Christ 'surpasses knowledge'. Eph 3:19. Obviously, our minds do not presently have the capacity to encompass the whole will and purpose of God. But, a day is coming when we will 'know as we are known' and we will know in full. 1Cor 13:12. When we pray, we are not just tapping into God's good ideas. His knowledge includes an over-arching will and purpose for each of our lives. As we devote ourselves to prayer from the youngest years, He will bring us into His will. The apostle John declared, 'This is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us'. 1 John 5:14.

Jesus said, 'Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full'. John 16: 24. Of course, this doesn't mean that the Lord will always give us the thing that we want. If we don't ask correctly, He will not answer our prayer in the way that we ask. James 4:3. Our Father in heaven will not give us something that will harm us. The purpose of prayer is to know the will of God. When we pray, we are seeking to know what He wants, as opposed to simply telling Him what we want. The apostle Paul did not cease to pray for the churches in this way. He wrote to the Colossians, 'We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding'. Col 1:9.

David Falk

Return to top

Feature Articles
May 2009

Knowing His will

Speaking face to face

They will see and rejoice

A new name

Straight and tall

Abide in Him

Manifold grace

How much does it cost?

Devoted to prayer

Son of my vows