"Whom am I going to love today?"

Regularly reminding ourselves of God's will keeps us pointed toward God's goal and helps us learn what it means to value him and others. It makes us ask questions like, "Whom am I going to love today?" "Whom will I encourage?" "Have I offended anyone from whom I need to ask forgiveness?" It points out my selfishness and reveals my need to continually turn away from my selfish ways and show compassion to those around me, particularly my spouse, by becoming a channel of God's love.

Rehearsing God's will also requires that I keep my mission in front of me. All successful corporations set clearly defined objectives that determine their day-to-day business strategies. Jesus taught this principle in the Sermon on the Mount: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Norma and I allow God to set the goals that will further his kingdom, then we go to him daily, praying for the opportunities and necessary resources to reach those objectives.

The most important aspect of rehearsing God's will is making sure we pray only for things that are consistent with 1 Timothy 6:3-4: "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing." These verses apply to false teachers, but I use them to double-check my prayer life. Is what I'm praying consistent with what Christ taught and will my prayers lead to Godliness?

Successful prayer requires more than knowing God's will. It also requires faith, and I have found that my faith works best when I mentally picture what I'm praying for from His word.

Are your prayers consistent with what Jesus taught?

Will what you are praying for lead to godliness?

³Some false teachers may deny these things, but these are the sound, wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are the foundation for a godly life. ⁴Anyone who teaches anything different is both conceited and ignorant. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, fighting, slander, and evil suspicions.
1 Timothy 6:3-4

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

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