When you are praying alone or with others and God is speaking to you, do not bring up your own agenda. Let your heart receive His agenda. The importance of this is seen by the response of the disciples at a critical moment in His earthly ministry. In Matthew 17:1-2 we read that Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him “and He led them on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.” While the physical presence of Jesus was blazing with supernatural light, two men, Moses and Elijah, “appeared in glory” to talk with Jesus. They “spoke of His death, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:29-31). In this incredible moment, they addressed what God was about to do in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The whole focus of this time was on the Father’s purpose to set the world free from sin.
But the disciples missed God’s agenda at this important time. In Matthew 17:4 it says “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Whole God was discussing the release of the whole world from the bondage of sin, all Peter could think about was building three buildings.
No wonder the Father responded the way He did in Matthew. While Peter “was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This. is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. “ The Father was saying in effect “When the Lord starts to speak, keep quiet! Do not tell Him tell Him what you think is best. Listen to Him!”
Peter’s lack of paying attention was nothing new for God’s people, all through the Bible, they tried to tell Him what to do. The same thing is true for us. Many times, we are not good listeners when we pray. We would rather tell God our latest ideas and plans. But if we listen, we may hear the Lord telling us what He told Job in Job 38 when He said “Where were you when I created the worlds? Did you counsel Me back then? Did you tell Me how to establish the world and set the stars in place? Did you counsel Me when I put together the seas and the mountains?”
Hearing this, Job responded in humility before God (Job 40:3-5; 42:1-6), and our response should be similar when we are tempted to tell God how run things. “Father, forgive my ignorance. Who am I to try to tell You what I think is best in redeeming the world? I did not lay down my life, it was your Son that laid down His life and shed His blood that brought redemption. It was Your Holy Spirit that You poured out on Your people to give them resurrection life and power. Who am I to tell You how to bring this world to Yourself? Only You Father know the best for us!”