And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. – 1 John 5:14
What does it mean to pray “according to His will?” This is the contingency that the apostle John has set out for believers to be confident that your prayers are heard and answered.
Consider the psalmist who wrote, “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18). You also need to surrender your heart to His will (Matthew 16:24). It is essential to acknowledge your relationship with the Holy God and His sovereignty over all things (Matthew 6:9-10). Then intercede for others in accordance with directions given in Scripture (1 Timothy 2:1-4). You can then be assured, as the verse that follows today’s states, “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 5:15).
Preacher and evangelist of the last century, Samuel Chadwick, said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” Stand firm in your belief in the Lord and let the enemy do the trembling as you pray today. Intercede for other believers and for those who hold positions of authority, for this pleases God, and you will be squarely within His will.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
