Accordingly

“Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!..

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:1-2,7

“And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” 2 Samuel 7:20-22

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

David knew his God. He communed with Him personally and often, pouring out fears and needs as well as gratitude and praise, all expressed in dependence on His name and attributes and highness. He’d known the blessings of living according to His prescribed ways, and the conviction of rebellion. So when he was overcome at his foolish fall with Bathsheba, he fled to the feet of his merciful, loving Lord. Only there he would find the cleansing he needed. He would forever be humbled by God’s grace. Living and pleading according to God’s Spirit and will yields freedom and fruit. (2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:7-13)

In order to pray and live according to God’s character and will, we must know Him, His promises, and His design for man. He is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and faithfulness. It is not good that man be alone. God is a God of order, not chaos. The Lord provides a way of escape in every temptation. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and He gives wisdom generously to all who ask. The scriptures are full of descriptions of His attributes and declarations of His promises and plans. When we stake our living and our asking on these truths, much is accomplished. (Genesis 2:18; Psalm 32:8; 103:1-8; Proverbs 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 14:33; James 1:5)

Do I set about my days mapped out by my schedule? How stubborn am I regarding my desire and will? What am I doing to align my dreams and decisions with the Lord’s as revealed in His word? How well do I know the way God works, and what He promises HIs children? How confidently do I pray, in His name and according to His Spirit, for provision of a specific guidance or suitable spouse? For a clear way forward, or out of an errant inclination? For strength to stand, and a disposition to bow? Our Father delights to help us do all according to Him. (John 14:13-14)

Lord, may I think, desire, and live according to Your grace, truth, and Spirit so You are magnified.