Let’s Pray Part 2

Daniel 2:17-18 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
 
DANIEL and his friends’ lives are threatened by the king’s anxious rage to know the meaning of his dream. Their only recourse is to pray that God would mercifully reveal the king’s dream and save their lives. We continue from our last lesson to look at three more aspects of effective prayer.
    Two, pray in Jesus’ name. This does not mean it is necessary to close every prayer with, “in Jesus’ name”. But it is to pray in faith that Jesus’ name has power. Jesus said: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13). Praying in Jesus’ name, you are praying in God’s will for the power of God to act. You will know what to say and what God is saying when you trust the power of Jesus’ name.
    Third, pray in agreement with God’s perfect will. This is his desires, intentions, plans and purposes. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Such an awareness will take time. The deeper you are into prayer, greater is your opportunity to hear God’s will.
    Fourth, live into God’s will. If you expect him to respond positively to your prayers, obey him. Jesus tells you to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Know God; and do his right ways. He is your Father who expects his children to obey.
    As God’s children, we must always remember that God is Father in heaven. We are taught to pray, “your will be done” to remind us to seek God’s will, not ours. The LORD answers your prayers in harmony with his will for the world, eternity and your life. Pray in faith. Submit to his answers, even the, “No.” and “Not yet.”
    Daniel knew the Lord God could answer his prayers. But he didn’t know if God would do so in Daniel’s desire. Still, he was faithful and fervent to plead for God’s answer. If he had simply resigned himself to the evil king, there would be no story to tell.
    Never resign to evil. Pray and seek the Lord. Rejoice that you can tell his story of his love and salvation.
 
Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”