1 John 5:14, 15 - Conditions for Answered Prayer.
1 John 5:14, 15 (NKJV) Now this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know
that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that
we have the petitions that we have asked of
Him.
1 John 5:14, 15 (CWR) We have confidence in
God to know that He will listen to whatever we
ask in harmony with His will. 15 And if we know
that He listens to us, we know that He will give
us whatever is best.
INTRODUCTION
The emphasis here is on God's will, not our
will. When we communicate with God, we don't
demand what we want; rather we discuss with him
what he wants for us. If we align our prayers to
his will, he will listen; and we can be certain
that if he listens, he will give us a definite
answer. Start praying with confidence! [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
A recent survey of two thousand Americans
revealed that only 27 percent ask for help before
starting something new. Another 13 percent refuse to
ask for help at all. People often fear that
asking for help will make them appear incompetent
or will result in someone else taking control.
Others fear rejection, that the help they need
won't be available.
Does this type of behavior bleed over
into our relationship with God? How many
blessings have we missed, how many divine
appointments, how much light and comfort and guidance
could we have had if only we had simply asked?
Today's promise is comprised of two
parts. One, the Bible promises that God hears. Two,
the Bible promises that when God hears, its as
good as done. However, notice that this promise
is conditional upon aligning our will with
God's: "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall
be done for you" (John 15:7). Nothing, no one,
can stop God from giving us what we ask - if it
is within His will.
If we do not receive a "yes" for our
petitions, it is not because God is not available. Our
prayers aren't like unread emails in a full inbox.
The Bible is clear: "You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your
pleasures" (James 4:3). Our selfish desires that cease
to benefit us spiritually are not in accordance
with God's will. God's desires the absolute best
for us - our salvation (John 6:40).
Loving Savior, I have full confidence
that You will grant my petition to help me
surrender my will to Yours. [The Most Amazing Bible
Promises by Amazing Facts]
COMMENTARY
As the will of man co-operates with the will
of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to
be done at His command may be accomplished in
His strength. All His biddings are enablings.
COL333
Christ makes it plain that our asking
must be according to God's will; we must ask for
the things that He has promised, and whatever we
receive must be used in doing His will. The
conditions met, the promise is unequivocal.
For the pardon of sin, for the Holy
Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and
strength to do His work, for any gift He has
promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that we
receive, and return thanks to God that we have
received.
We need look for no outward evidence of
the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we
may go about our work assured that what God has
promised He is able to perform, and that the gift,
which we already possess, will be realized when we
need it most. ED257, 8
We are to trust His promises. When we come
to Him in faith, we should believe that every
petition enters into the heart of Christ. When we
have asked for His blessing, we should believe
that we receive it, and thank Him that we have
it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured
that the blessing will be sent when we need it
most. When we have learned to do this, we shall
know that our prayers are answered. God will do
for us "exceeding abundantly," "according to the
riches of His glory," and "the working of His
mighty power." [Ephesians 3:20, 16, 19.] {GW
261.3}
He never asks us to do anything without
supplying the grace and power to do that very thing.
All his biddings are enablings. RH11-09-97
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
1 John 5:14, 15 - Essential Condition for
Answered Prayer.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220115-1028.html
1 John 5:14, 15 - Effective Prayer.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201107-0927.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191012-1403.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090624-2133.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
