Some people think you ought to end every prayer with the phrase, “If it be Your will.” When you question them about it, they’ll say that Jesus prayed that way. But He didn’t pray this way every time He prayed. He just prayed that way on one occasion and for one kind of prayer (Luke 22:42). For example, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus didn’t stand at Lazarus’ tomb and say, “Lord, if it be Your will, raise up Lazarus.”
No, Jesus said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And I knew that you hear me always. ..” (John 11:41,42). Then Jesus told Lazarus to come forth, and Lazarus came forth out of the grave. The prayer Jesus prayed was a prayer to change something. Anytime you are praying a prayer to get something or to change something, never put an “if’ in it. “If’ is the badge of doubt. Should you pray that way, you’re using the wrong rule, and your prayer won’t work. It’s that simple.
What kind of prayer did Jesus pray, using the phrase, “If it be Your will”? It was the prayer of consecration and dedication. Then there are other kinds of praying that will require the use of the word “if’ when we don’t know exactly what the will of God is in that situation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew the will of God. However, Jesus prayed a prayer of consecration to God’s will, “Saying, Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Jesus wasn’t praying a prayer to change something. He was praying a prayer of consecration and dedication. We use the phrase, “If it be Your will” in our prayers because we want to be available to do what Jesus wants us to do. We should be willing to go anywhere and do anything God has called us to do, whether it is to pastor, to be a missionary, or to be anything else He wants us to be. Therefore, in a prayer of dedication and consecration, we are to pray, “Lord, if it be Your will” or “Lord, Your will be done.”
However, when it comes to changing things and receiving something from God according to His Word, we do not pray, “If it be Your will.” We already know God’s will because we have God’s Word for it. It is God’s will that our needs be met. God wants to give us what we need. And we receive our needs met by faith.
Copyright © Kenneth Hagin Ministries – Used by Permission – From the Book – The Bible Prayer Study Course
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