Keys to Answered Prayer #1 – KEY OF SURRENDERING TO GOD’S WILL –

The Keys to Answered Prayer always end up coming back to the truth that all blessings, answers, and miracles come from surrendering to God’s will. Are you aware that God has answers for questions and needs you have not even thought of yet? Do you know that God has awesome answers for prayers you haven’t realized how to pray yet?

Instead of trying to come up with what we think is the best answer to our needs and our problems, we need to go to God as the One who knows all of the right answers. He is the One who realizes all of the parts and pieces of our needs and problems that we don’t have a clue about. We only see the surface of our problems. When we are only looking for answers to what we are aware of, what a long, long process we will have to go through just to stay out of the clutches of fear and worry. Praying surface prayers about scary symptoms, rather than praying right prayers and making right choices to surrender the source of the problem to God, will only keep us hanging on that proverbial rope with a knot tied in the end of it.

When some people hear that the bottom line of this message is that God’s will is the only good solution to every situation, they will immediately say, “Yes, but the Bible says you don’t have because you don’t ask. So I ask for what I want and need.” Jesus did say this, but we have extended what we think He was saying here to fit our own understanding and the solutions we think we must have.

In the Amplified Bible, John 16:24, we read, “24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:24 is not referring to new jobs, to money, or to prospective mates here. Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this about John 16:24: “[Ask] In my name; and ye shall receive all the salvation ye thus request; the consequence of which shall be that your joy shall be full—ye shall be thoroughly happy in being made completely holy.”

In Barnes’ Notes, regarding Matthew 7:7-11, we read, “[Every one that asketh receiveth] That is, every one that asks aright; that prays in faith, and in submission to the will of God. He does not always give the very thing which we ask, but he gives what would be better.” This is vital to our understanding of how to change our prayers to agree with God’s plans and purposes for our lives.

Why would this first Key to Answered Prayer seem to be discouraging you to ask for things you want and believe you need? Your heavenly Father knows exactly what you want and need already. When you seek His will in all things, you are saying that you agree with Him and that you want to learn how to trust Him for your perfect answers, blessings, and miracles. You want to stop trying to tell God what to do to make you happy and to fulfill you. He knows all about that better than you do. And so we begin these 8 Keys to Answered Prayer with an understanding of that truth.

This is that truth that is so clearly stated in the verse of Luke 12:29-31 (NKJV), “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

So, why are there seven more Keys to Answered Prayer to come over the next seven weeks to tell you how to get your prayers answered regarding healing, relationships, money, and more? Because once you understand the basic information in this first Key, you can begin to pray and make choices to change how you think about prayer and about God. This will position you perfectly to receive the answers to your others area of need and hope as well as the things you are daring to believe He might do for you. 2008: This is the year for exciting change in your life!

Let’s pray: Father, I know that you know what I need, and that you know what will fulfill my life and bring me great joy more than I do. I want to learn how to trust you to provide what you know is best for me and to remove what you know is holding me back from a fantastic 2008, my year for exciting life changes!

Thank you for the Keys of the Kingdom in Matthew 16:19. Father, I bind my will to your will, understanding that this means I am obligating my will to yours. I want what you want, more than I want my own way. I want what you want more than I want money, a mate, fame, and praise and recognition. You are the only one who knows when I will be ready to step into those answers. Help me to get my priorities straightened out because I acknowledge that I have allowed the world to mess with them.

I bind my mind to your mind, Jesus. I want your thoughts to be the ruler’s edge that I can always count on to nudge me back into right thinking when I become confused. I bind my raggedy emotions to the healing balance and comfort of the Holy Spirit. I do not want to be ruled by the reactions and distractions of my emotions; I want my emotions to be delightful spices and flavorings to savor as I walk with you in the center of your will.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to get my first priority straight—which is to know that you love me and I can love because you loved me first. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and bringing into the family of God. I am so excited about this year. I thank you for everything! In Your Name, Jesus, Amen.