How to Pray According to God's Will and Get Answers

Welcome to another episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions. Today, we’re diving into a powerful principle that can revolutionize your prayer life: how to pray according to God’s will. 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I praying the right way? Is God even listening?”—you’re not alone. These are questions every believer has asked at some point. But the good news is that God doesn’t want us to live in uncertainty about prayer. In fact, He’s given us clear instructions and promises in His Word to help us pray effectively and with confidence. 

Let’s explore how praying according to God’s will removes the guesswork and positions us for answers. 

The Promise of Answered Prayer 

One of the most comforting and faith-building scriptures about prayer is found in 1 John 5:14-15 (KJV): 

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 

This verse changed my entire approach to prayer. It was my "aha moment." I realized I didn’t have to keep guessing if God would answer—I just needed to be sure I was praying according to His will. 

Discovering God’s Will in His Word 

To pray according to God's will, we must first understand what His will actually is. Thankfully, God hasn’t hidden His will from us. He has revealed it plainly through His Word. 

Psalm 119:105 (KJV) says: 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” 

The Bible is not just a spiritual resource—it is the testament of God's intentions, promises, and desires for us. His Word is His will. 

When we open the Bible, we’re not reading abstract stories. We’re encountering the living voice of God revealing what He wants for His children—things like peace, healing, salvation, provision, and victory. 

Psalm 107:20 (KJV) confirms: 

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” 

If you’re looking for direction on how to pray, start by finding out what God has already said. His Word is the most reliable map for prayer. 

Why Praying God’s Word Gets Results 

Praying God’s Word—thereby praying according to His will—isn’t just spiritually meaningful. It’s powerful because God commits Himself to perform what He has spoken. 

Jeremiah 1:12 (KJV) says: 

“Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” 

This means that God watches over His Word to bring it to pass. When we pray His Word back to Him, we’re aligning ourselves with His divine plan—and He moves to act on it. 

And because God never changes, His promises are always valid. 

Malachi 3:6 (KJV): 

“For I am the Lord, I change not…” 

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV): 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” 

If God healed someone in the Bible, He can heal you today. If He provided then, He will provide now. That’s the strength of praying with scriptural backing—it anchors your faith in God’s eternal character. 

How to Pray According to God’s Will 

So, how do you pray according to God’s will in a way that brings results? Here’s a simple but powerful process: 

1. Identify Your Need Start with clarity. Are you asking for healing, peace, a breakthrough, or wisdom? 

2. Search the Scriptures Find what God’s Word says about your need. If you’re praying for peace, look up promises about peace. If it’s provision, find verses that speak about God’s provision. 

3. Craft Your Prayer Around the Word Use those scriptures as the foundation of your prayer. Speak them aloud and personalize them. 

4. Pray with Faith Believe that what God said, He will do. Don’t let feelings or circumstances shake your faith. 

5. Give Thanks Thank God in advance. Thanksgiving is the expression of your expectation. 

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) tells us: 

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

When you pray according to God’s will, you’re not throwing words into the air—you’re building your prayer on the solid ground of truth. 

Pray According to God’s Will and Experience Confidence 

There’s something deeply reassuring about praying from a place of confidence instead of confusion. When you pray according to God’s will, you’re not hoping for a miracle—you’re standing on a promise. 

I used to pray with a lot of uncertainty. I’d say, “Lord, if it be Your will…” without really knowing what His will was. That left me feeling unsure and even frustrated at times. But when I discovered that His will is found in His Word, my whole perspective changed. 

Now, instead of hoping God will hear me, I know He hears me—because I’m praying in alignment with His Word. 

From Doubt to Assurance 

Let’s revisit 1 John 5:14-15 again, because this is our anchor: 

“…if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us…” 

“…we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 

This is not just a religious formula—it’s a divine guarantee. When your prayers are rooted in God’s Word, you are praying His heart. And when you pray His heart, you can be sure of His hand moving on your behalf. 

Practical Tips for Daily Prayer 

Here’s a recap with practical application: 

• Keep a Prayer Journal: Write down your prayer requests and the scriptures that support them. 

• Memorize Key Scriptures: Let God’s Word dwell in you richly so that it comes naturally in prayer. 

• Pray Aloud: Declare the Word with authority. Faith comes by hearing—yes, even your own voice. 

• Stay Thankful: Gratitude fuels faith and keeps your heart aligned with God. 

Let’s Hear from You! 

Have you ever prayed according to God’s will and seen an answer? Or maybe you’re still trying to figure out what His will is for your situation? 

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Let’s grow together and encourage one another in our prayer journeys.