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this deception. The devil's utmost goal is to take man with him to the eternal death of the lake of fire.
Man's will is a natural will, it is according to whom he chooses to follow. God will not perform anything against His will or another person's will. Therefore GOD allows the person his own choice of will. This means it is vital to know the LORD'S will when praying.
I John 5:13-15
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the SON of GOD
so that you may know that you have eternal life.
This is the assurance we have in approaching GOD:
That if we ask anything according to His will he hears us.
And if we know that He hears us - what ever we ask -
we know we have what we asked of Him.
New International Version
I. The one who prays must be in union with GOD in thought and will. The believer who prays must have their mind on the will of GOD. Without the mind on the will of GOD the understanding will wonder from the purpose of praying. Union with GOD'S will in prayer for GOD to do whatever we ask of Him. Acts 4:23-31 is an example of prayer in union with GOD and the results.
Reading: Acts 4:23-31
Acts 4:23,31
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their people
and reported all that the Chief priest and elders had said to them.
When They heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to GOD.
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled with the HOLY SPIRIT
and spoke the word of GOD boldly.
New International Version
A. The believers thought must be in unity with GOD'S will. A person with an unrenewed mind will not know or recognize the will of GOD. Only with a renewed mind can the one praying test and approve the will of GOD. A renewed mind is in union with GOD'S thought and will and mind.
Romans 12:1-2
Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD'S will is -
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
New International Version
B. The believer must understand the will of GOD with the wisdom to accept GOD'S will. When the one praying does not understand the will of GOD he prays amist. There is GOD'S wisdom that is revealed to the one seeking it. Then there is the wisdom of the world, which is not in line with GOD'S wisdom. This wisdom is of man and prompted by the enemy (the devil). To understand GOD'S wisdom the one praying must be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.
Reading: I Corinthians 2:9-16
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