On Sunday, we talked about having strong prayers… Not the “make us happy and give us traveling mercies” weak prayers. The most powerful ones are the big, bold prayers for what God has already said that he wants. So, what does God want?
When we pray the will and the desires of God, our prayers will grow to me exponentially more powerful than ever before. So, let’s investigate 10 things we know God wants.
God wants His name honored
Matthew 6:9 NLT
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Where (and why) is it hardest for you to honor God’s name (home, work/school, friends, online)?
Prayer: “God, make Your name holy in me and through me.”
God wants His kingdom to come / His will to be done
Matthew 6:10 NLT
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
What is one area of our lives where we tend to want “my will” more than God’s will?
Prayer: “King Jesus, let Your kingdom come in my life.”
God wants people to be saved
1 Timothy 2:4 NLT
[ GOD ] wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Who is one person you know that needs Jesus? What keeps you from praying for them and speaking up?
Prayer: “Lord, please save. Open their eyes and draw them to Jesus. How do you want to use me to bring them to you?”
God wants His people sanctified
1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
What is one habit, attitude, or sin you want God to change in you?
Prayer: “God, make me clean and help me obey You.”
God wants us to bear fruit
John 15:8, 16 NLT
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
What kind of fruit do you want to see grow in you (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness)? What would it look like this week?
Prayer: “Father, make my life fruitful, not just comfortable.”
God wants us to know Him better
Ephesians 1:16–17 NLT
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Philippians 3:10 NLT
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.
What is one thing you can do this week to know God better (Bible, prayer, obedience, community)?
Prayer: “God, help me know You, not just know about You.”
God wants His people unified
John 17:21 NLT
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
Where do you see division (in your family, friendships, church)? What would one step toward unity look like?
Prayer: “Jesus, make us one so people can see You clearly.”
God wants workers for the harvest
Matthew 9:37–38 NLT
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Where do you see a need for more workers (serving, discipling, kids, students, outreach)? How does our new facility make more harvest workers necessary?
Prayer: “Lord of the harvest, send workers—start with us.”
God wants boldness
Acts 4:29, 31 NLT
And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Why do we tend to be timid, rather than bold when it comes to speaking for Jesus? Where do you need boldness this week?
Prayer: “Holy Spirit, make me bold—not comfortable.”
God wants us to love like Jesus
John 15:12 NLT
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
Who is hard for you to love right now? What would loving them like Jesus look like (one action)?
Prayer: “Lord, grow love in me for .”
Optional (if you have time): What does Jesus pray for?
- Read John 17:1, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 24 (pick 2–4 verses if short on time). Question: What stands out about what Jesus wants for His people?
- Prayer: Pray one of Jesus’ requests back to the Father in your own words.