Praying Confidently
“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.”
(1 John 5:14)
God hears and answers our prayers.
“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” (Psalm 65:2)
If we look at God’s character, He is faithful. He is loving. God is good. God loves His children and would deny them only what might harm them. We can see by reading the Bible, God is faithful to His promises and answers prayer, but we can’t expect to receive “anything” we ask for, whatever we want. Your children may “want” chocolate ice cream for breakfast. But is that good for them? Requests must be in God’s will and a person must be in a right relationship with God.
John talks about the importance of prayer and the promise of God answering our prayers if we are obedient to Him.
“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22).
Then, John repeats this promise two chapters later.
“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” (1 John 5:14-15).
Prayer is not an “option” for God’s children, it is essential.
As believers, we must pray. We can’t simply trust in ourselves, we need to lean in and trust in God. And when we pray, we must pray with confidence that God hears us.
Prayer: Father, thank You that we can come to You and approach You with confidence, knowing You hear and answer our prayers. Thank You that it says in Your Word, You promise to grant us our petitions according to Your will. Thank You for loving us and being there for us, even when we might not know it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.