Christian Life,  Prayer,  Spiritual Disciplines

Confidence in Prayer – Day 6

prayer4Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have all your prayers answered? I know that God answers all of our prayers with either yes, no, or wait, but what if we knew how to pray in such a way that God’s answer was always yes? This is actually possible, and God tells us how to do it in 1 John 5:14-15: “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.” Did you see the last phrase of this verse? It says, “we know that we have what we asked of him.” Prior to that it says, “whatever we ask.” God is clearly telling us that it is possible to pray in such a way that God always responds positively to what we ask for.

God actually sets the first part of this passage up by saying that we can pray with confidence knowing that God will answer. This sounds like New Testament praying. It is reminiscent of Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave or Peter saying to the lame man, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” How can you have that kind of confidence in your prayer life? I do not like putting prayer into a formula, because it is a relationship, but there is a formula suggested here in this verse. God says that we must first ask according to His will. The first step of effective praying is to determine the will of God about a matter. Our first prayer then should be to ask God how to pray about a certain issue and then go about seeking to determine His will regarding our request. This will lead us into searching the Scripture, seeking advice from godly friends, and spending time in quiet meditation and prayer. Once we have discerned God’s will about a matter, then we can pray about it and “know we have what we asked of Him.” Let’s not be so quick to read off our prayer list to God. It would do us well to apply God’s revealed truth, the Bible, to our prayer life before we ever ask of God. When we know the will of God, our confidence in prayer rises, and we will see God acting to accomplish His will on earth.

One Comment

  • Brandi Jones

    Twenty-four years I have walked with my Savior. This week was my first time fasting. On day two, I found myself craving my designated time for fasting and prayer. It was a reminder to me of how quickly/easily mankind can develop new disciplines. I feel blessed to have had such intimacy with my Lord these many years in the absence of fasting; but oh, how excited it makes me to think of what He holds for my relationship with Him in consideration of this new spiritual discipline that will remain with me. A reminder of His great patience and lovingkindness towards His children! Prayer has always been a significant part of my walk with the Lord, but it will forever be different now. Thank you, Pastor Tim, for being a conduit of the Lord to invite me to fast and pray. To God be the glory, great things He continues to do!
    Brandi

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