Why NOT pray "if it's your will?"

OneFreeWoman

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I was told by a certain "flavor" of Christianity that it's not proper to end a prayer with, "LORD, if it be your will." Is there a specific verse in the Bible that says that we are NOT to pray this way? Don't tell me what your pastor believes or what you personally believe about this. I personally don't care what you or they think. Where in the Bible does it say specifically that we are not to pray this way? THAT'S what I want to know. Period. Thanks in advance.
 

frater_domus

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There is one example in its favour, which is when Jesus asked God to take the burden of the cross from him. There is also the Lord's prayer, which doesn't include it. Ultimately, prayer is a very dynamic thing. I think that the main point "if it's according to your will" is to recognize to sovereignty of God and elevate His will instead of our own. To say that a prayer much include something specific to work is bordering on legalism. You are talking to a person, not doing an incantation or whatever. There guidelines on how it might be better to talk to someone, especially your elders, but no strict rules and procedures.

The only times I use it is when I am praying for something that I suspect may be against God's will. And even then, it serves more as a reminder to me that His will reigns supreme, not mine.
 
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1stcenturylady

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What was the reason for the person to say not to pray if it be God's will? That is silly. It has to be God's will or it won't be answered. Unless, of course, they believe in doing as I have been doing. I have been given the ability to hear God's voice ever since I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1977, so since then I always remain silent and listen to what He prompts me to pray. I just repeat His words. I don't have to question 'is it God's will,' for I KNOW it is. For the 30 years prior to receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit not one of my prayers were answered, no matter how I ended the prayer. And since then 100% of my prayers are answered because they are always God's will.

1 John 5 tells us that God doesn't even hear prayers that are not His will. And those that are His will, He always answers. This is why I know that God never answers prayer with a "No" as some teach. If it is not answered, it is because He doesn't receive the prayer to begin with, as it wasn't according to His will. It seems that in Revelation 8:3-4 that the angels deliver the prayers as incense. Maybe they screen them to see if they are according to God's word. I don't know.

14 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Where in that verse is "No" an option?
 
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Uber Genius

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Was in the charasmatic movement in my teens. The reason it is not right to pray "if it is your will Lord," is because it will ruin the "Faith formula." That is that we heal based on a function of our faith and the sick person's faith. We then claim the healing. This method was taught by Oral Roberts and later Benny Hinn.

If we screw up the faith formula ain't nobody gettin healed.

Of course then I read how Jesus only did those things his Father told him to do. He only healed one man at Bethesda , despite the enormous faith that the sick had for God and their beleif that he would heal them.

And when I started to listen to the HS and let him direct me I didn't have to include "if it be your will," because I already saw or heard or had been directed supernaturally by the HS to pray.

This was the method taught by John Wimber of Vineyard in the 1980s and early 1990s.
 
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OneFreeWoman

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I was told by a certain "flavor" of Christianity that it's not proper to end a prayer with, "LORD, if it be your will." Is there a specific verse in the Bible that says that we are NOT to pray this way? Don't tell me what your pastor believes or what you personally believe about this. I personally don't care what you or they think. Where in the Bible does it say specifically that we are not to pray this way? THAT'S what I want to know. Period. Thanks in advance.

LOL! Just saw this post I made a while back. If I ever pray again (kinda doubting THAT), I will be sure to do as I suggested and definitely pray, "if it's your will..." always!
 
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1stcenturylady

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LOL! Just saw this post I made a while back. If I ever pray again (kinda doubting THAT), I will be sure to do as I suggested and definitely pray, "if it's your will..." always!

One of my greatest joys is hearing God's voice telling me what to pray, I pray His words, and it comes to pass immediately.

What is making you so down in the dumps, especially about God?

Off to work...hope you answer...
 
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rocknanchor

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But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6)

How does paranoia not destroy ya faith? Or, how is your "IF it be your will" preserved from doubting? His will is 'done on earth' when we approach the throne of grace by His blood boldly (in faith). It doesn't register with some apparently, that that type of approach is of humble origin.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Passage that comes to mind is

But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-8)

hope that helps.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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I am also reminded of the following.

Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mt 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mr 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Lu 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

I hope the two in balance will help you figure out what God wants to say to you through it.
 
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rocknanchor

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I hope the two in balance will help you figure out what God wants to say to you through it.
What God wants to say? But He has "finished" saying what we needed to hear at the cross.

I understand balance, thank you. Is one faulted then to believe the Lord meant for conclusiveness, even for that which does require His input (Phil 3:15)?

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)​

For even when the “time of need” hits a level of severity, we are still told to have “confidence” (Hebrews 4:6). Have you ever noticed; this is the post-garden “new” way? That I can confess with “boldness” fully on the merits of the cross,

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, ,” (Hebrews 10:19,20)​

So yes, I understand the use of ‘balance’ and indeed one might so conclude, but then where does “boldness” appear without His blood suffering a reduction of importance?
 
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Gregory Thompson

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What God wants to say? But He has "finished" saying what we needed to hear at the cross.

I understand balance, thank you. Is one faulted then to believe the Lord meant for conclusiveness, even for that which does require His input (Phil 3:15)?

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)​

For even when the “time of need” hits a level of severity, we are still told to have “confidence” (Hebrews 4:6). Have you ever noticed; this is the post-garden “new” way? That I can confess with “boldness” fully on the merits of the cross,

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, ,” (Hebrews 10:19,20)​

So yes, I understand the use of ‘balance’ and indeed one might so conclude, but then where does “boldness” appear without His blood suffering a reduction of importance?
I posted scripture that highlighted the two views that were being expressed as dichotomy for consideration. (to be viewed in harmony)

Since the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, prayerfully considering what God has to say is always a good discipline.
 
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