Episode 9 - When Prayers Align: The Power of God’s Will

When Prayers Align: The Power of God’s Will
By Ken Robinson

Have you ever prayed for something with everything in you—only to hear silence in return?

You asked. You believed. You waited.
But the answer never came. Or worse—it came, but it wasn’t what you were hoping for.

If that’s where you are right now, I want to encourage you with this truth:
God still hears. And His will is not a barrier to answered prayer—it’s the key.

This is where alignment comes in.

There’s a verse I keep coming back to whenever I talk about prayer. It’s 1 John 5:14–15, and it says:

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

There are two big takeaways from this passage:

1. God hears us.

2. Praying according to His will is where confidence—and answers—begin.

Now, this might raise even more questions.
What exactly is God’s will? How do I know if I’m praying in line with it? And if I don’t know His will, does that mean I shouldn’t even ask?

Let’s unpack that together.

God’s Will Is Not a Mystery

One of the biggest misconceptions about God’s will is that it’s unknowable—some hidden mystery that only the most spiritual people can figure out.

But God never meant for His will to be a secret.

Romans 12:2 tells us that His will is good, pleasing, and perfect—and that we come to understand it by allowing our minds to be transformed by the truth of His Word.

The more we spend time in Scripture, the more clearly we begin to see what matters to God:
Love. Justice. Mercy. Holiness. Generosity. Forgiveness. Humility. Wisdom. Trust.

When our prayers flow from those values, we’re no longer just asking God to do what we want—we’re partnering with Him to see His heart revealed in our lives.

And that’s powerful.

From Demand to Surrender

There’s a big difference between praying with boldness and praying with demands.

Jesus showed us what aligned prayer looks like when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. On the night before the crucifixion, He cried out:

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

This wasn’t a lack of faith. It was a full surrender. Jesus was honest about His desire, but He trusted His Father’s plan more than His own.

That’s what alignment looks like—bringing your deepest hopes before God, but laying them at His feet with open hands.

It’s okay to want something. It’s OK to ask. But trust is what makes the difference.

What Are You Really Asking For?

James 4:3 gives us an honest look at why some prayers go unanswered:

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Sometimes, we need to stop and ask:
What’s my motive behind this prayer?
Is it about God’s glory or my comfort?
Is it to build His Kingdom—or make my life easier?

Now, God is a good Father. He’s not against blessing us. But He’s more interested in our growth than our convenience. He sees what we can’t see, and sometimes the very thing we’re asking for could actually derail us if we received it too soon—or at all.

When we pray in alignment with His will, we’re saying, “God, I want what You want—even if it costs me something.”

When God’s “No” is Really His “Not Yet”

I can’t count how many times I’ve prayed for something and heard nothing back—only to discover later that God’s delay was actually His protection.

There was a time when I was praying earnestly for a relationship. I wanted to get married. I thought I’d met the right person. But it just didn’t work out, no matter how hard I prayed.

At the time, I wondered what was wrong. Why would God say no to something so good?

Years later, I met Wendy—my now wife of over 25 years—and it became crystal clear: God hadn’t said “no.” He had said, “Not yet. I’ve got someone better for you.”

That’s what trust looks like. Believing that God’s plans are higher, even when they don’t make sense in the moment.

Praying in Alignment Doesn’t Mean Less Faith—It Means More Trust

Sometimes people think that surrendering your prayer to God’s will is a sign of weak faith. I believe the opposite is true.

It takes great faith to say:
“God, I want this… but I trust You more than I trust my own desires.”

When we pray that way, we don’t just hope for results—we experience peace.
Peace in the waiting.
Peace in the silence.
Peace in the unexpected outcomes.

That peace often becomes the very first answer to our prayer.

So How Do You Pray According to God’s Will?

Here are a few practical ways to grow in alignment with God’s heart:

• Stay in the Word. The more you read the Bible, the more your prayers will reflect God’s truth.

• Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your words. Before you speak, ask Him to shape your desires.

• Be honest—but surrender. Bring your requests, but leave room for God to work in His timing and His way.

• Check your motives. Ask, “Is this prayer about my will or God’s?”

• Rest in peace, not pressure. You don’t need to perform in prayer. You need to trust.

What if the Answer Isn’t What You Hoped For?

Even when God’s answer looks different than we expected, it’s never second best.

In fact, the more I walk with Him, the more I’ve discovered something surprising:
God’s will always ends up better than my wish list.
Even when it takes longer. Even when it’s harder. Even when I don’t understand.

So let’s learn to pray with boldness and surrender. Let’s come to God like children—honest, hopeful, and trusting that our Father really does know best.

And let’s remember:
When our prayers align with God’s will, we not only move heaven—we gain peace.

If this message encouraged you, be sure to check out the full episode of A Week Ahead With God wherever you listen to podcasts. In Episode 9, I share more about this idea of alignment in prayer—and how it’s changed my life and deepened my faith.

You can subscribe now at KenRobinson.com or find the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Let’s keep praying, keep trusting, and keep walking with God—together.