About the Series
This series examines what the Bible teaches about Godly decision making.
In part 1 we learned that it is important for believers to know what they believe.
We studied Christian servanthood, and its implications for Godly decision making in part 2.
The third part of the series examined how God and the Christian are one, and we learned that the Christian who makes decisions with God at his side and in accordance with his goals is well equipped to make Godly choices.
Today, in lesson 4, we are looking at prayer. Through this lesson we will learn why praying to God is essential for making Godly decisions.
Remember to Pray
Because we are God’s servant, and one with him, it follows that we must be in constant communication with him through prayer.
Think about it, a servant who does not talk to his master will not be able to do his master’s will. Likewise, you cannot have a true relationship with someone unless you communicate with them.
This is especially true in times of difficulty. When you’re faced with a challenge and you never seek advice from God, you’re apt to make the wrong decision.
Let God help you make the right choices in life, his ways are always best and you need him to show you what decisions are right. (Ps. 16:7, Prov. 19:21, Jer. 10:23) “You cannot have a true relationship with someone unless you communicate with them.”
Remembering to pray then can help us make Godly decisions when our beliefs are challenged because because Christians are not to make decisions alone.
Rather, we are to make decisions in consort and consultation with God and with Jesus as our mediator. (1 Tim. 2:5)
Paul emphasized this when he taught that we are to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17)
We are to be persistent and constant in prayer because we are in Christ and are his servants. (Rom. 8:1)
We are also to continue steadfastly in prayer. (Col. 4:2)
However, you can only continue something that you have actually started.
Thus, if you’ve had vibrant seasons of prayer in your Christian life but have since stopped, get back on the bandwagon and start again, continue where you left off. If you’re currently a prayer warrior than keep at it.
For those who may not know what it means to be unceasing and steadfast in prayer, think of it as being in a constant spirit of prayer or having your mind always keeping God in the picture throughout your day.
Put another way, it’s being ever conscious and aware of God’s presence in your life.
The next time you’re faced with a dilemma, ask God for wisdom, and for help. (Jas. 1:5, Ex. 14:14)
“Make sure that when you pray you do so with a desire to know God’s answer, and not merely the answer that you think is best.”And do so with reverence and with a desire to do God’s will. (1 Jn. 5:14-15)
Approach God with faith, especially because he already knows your needs before you even ask him. (Matt. 6:8)
Knowing that ought to assure you that he always hears you and that he will always answer you. (Heb. 10:22)
Make sure though that when you pray you do so with a desire to know God’s answer, and not merely the answer that you think is best.
Now, this might sound counterintuitive at first; you might be thinking, “Don’t we ask prayers so that they be answered in the way we we want? For example, if I ask for a better job, then I’m asking because I hope God grants me a better job.”
While this is usually the case, we must always have faith that God will answer our prayers according to his will.
That means that from the outset we already accept whatever his answer will be for us. This is asking God according to his will, not ours. (1 Jn. 5:14)
As James puts it, ask God for help in faith and “nothing wavering.” (James 1:6)
“Prayer helps us make Godly decisions because it makes us desire what God desires.”When we ask God for an answer but hold the answer we really want in the back of our minds, then that’s a prayer asked with wavering confidence and not steadfast faith.
Again, we have to pray to God with open hands and expect that his answer will be not only best, but the one we are committed to following.
Therefore, prayer and trust in God are two sides of the same coin.
Moreover, prayer helps us make Godly decisions because it makes us desire what God desires.
Put another way, prayer helps us want what God wants. The Holy Spirit then uses prayer as a means to further sanctify us and make us more like Jesus. (2 Cor. 3:18)
Prayer also brings peace and peace always brings clarity to decisions. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Peacefulness is an inherent quality in those who are constantly aware of God and who keep their communication lines with him open.
These are those who, as Isaiah writes, have their minds “stayed” on God and who God keeps in perfect peace because they trust in Him. (Is. 26:3)
Christians who want to make Godly choices must not make choices alone. Christians are to consult God in all things. (Prov. 3:6, Ps. 37:5, Matt. 6:33)
The next time a decision confronts you, pray to God about it in faith, desire whatever it is that he wants for you to do, and revel in the peace that ensues.
Stay tuned for Part 5!
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