What on earth are we praying for?

I’m guessing that you have more than likely asked God this question before:

“Lord, what is your will for my life?”

That question is commonly accompanied by a prayer that often sounds like this:

“God, I pray that you would protect…, bless…, and guide…”

The dots are intended for you to fill in the blanks, the specifics of your prayers, but the point remains the same. While we seem to seek God and ask Him to reveal His will and His purpose for our lives, we simultaneously ask Him to protect us where we’re at, to bless what we already have, and to guide the plans that we’ve already made. I have to confess that I’m guilty as charged. I could ask myself the same question I am posing to you all today:

“What on earth are we praying for?”

While I was completing some of my Bible study homework this week, I came across several verses that I believe answer this age-old question of our hearts. “What is God’s will for my life?” If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few years it’s that the answers to my many questions can be found within the truth of God’s Word. Whether specifically or in principle, Scripture reveals the answers. So, let’s go there together.

Micah 6:8 is perhaps one of my favorite Old Testament verses because it is clear and gets right to the point. God’s will for you and I according to this one verse is that we would do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Many of our seemingly unanswered questions can be answered within this one short verse alone.

But let’s not stop there. First Thessalonians 4:3 instructs us further in what God’s will is for our lives, and it is summed up in one command: avoid sexual immorality. In short, is purity a defining characteristic of your life? It should be for every follower of Jesus Christ.

We don’t have to look much further in Scripture for our next directive. First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that God’s will for us is that we would be found thankful in all circumstances. Really? Yes, God’s will is that we maintain an attitude of gratitude in any and every situation. There is always something to be thankful for.

Next, let’s take a look at Ephesians 6:6. Although we don’t have masters and slaves per say as Paul was addressing in the culture of the Ephesians, we have people in authority over us that we obey and perhaps serve. Do we serve with a sincere heart? We should, because that is God’s will for us.

Finally, Matthew 22:37-39 wraps it up with the greatest commandment of all. In short, God’s will for us is that we first love Him, and secondly love others.

Do we pray for THESE things? That we would be just, full of mercy and completely humble? Do we pray to live lives of utmost purity in a world that is so tainted with sexual immorality? Do we pray to maintain an attitude of gratitude? Do we pray for a deeper love for God, which in turn would increase our love for others? If not, then what on earth are we praying for?