And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us
1 John 5 verse 14
The best way to ascertain whether prayer is answered is to try it. The testimony of thousands of Christians bear witness to the fact that God hears us as we call upon him in the day of trouble. For this reason, the scriptures urge us to be diligent in prayer. Since most of us are daily facing vexing and trying problems, we are often discouraged and disheartened. Yet we have at our very door a power that can accomplish mighty things for us. Therefore, Saint John writes: “this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” to pray successfully, we must pray with confidence.
To pray with confidence, we must be certain that we are addressing the right person. The Bible tells us to pray to the Lord of heaven and earth, who has revealed himself in the scriptures. God alone can hear our prayers, and to him we should go. If I am sick, I call a physician and not a lawyer. The lawyer may offer me legal advice, yes, he may even give me some hints on health. But when I am critically ill, I go to a trusted physician and let him examine me and prescribe something for me. If I want my prayers to accomplish something, I must go to God, the true and living God, who has spoken to me through his divine word.
To pray with confidence, we must furthermore be certain that we are addressing this our Lord God in the right manner. “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, “He hears us.” To pray according to his will, we must pray in humility of heart. The man or woman who struts into the presence of the Lord, proud and haughty, finds the door closed. The scriptures say, “a broken and a contrite heart, Oh God, you will not despise.”
To pray with confidence, we must also be certain that we are addressing the Lord God about the right things. When I know that I am asking for the right things, then I can be certain that he hears me. Now, there are certain things which positively oppose the will of God. In His Word He tells me that they are sinful. They are harmful to my body and dangerous to my soul. On the other hand, I know that there are certain things that God desires very much. He wants all mankind to be saved. “as I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turned from his way and live.”
When God wants us to pray for spiritual things. He wants you and me to pray for ourselves that we may grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We are to ask God to fill us with patience in the days of sickness, with cheerfulness admit adversities, and fill with faith throughout the week then we know in all confidence that our God, will, "hears us.”
Prayer
Lord, heavenly Father, I approach you today, asking You to let your grace and your mercy rest upon me. Assure me of your divine presence. In your tender mercy forgive me all my sins with which I have grieved you and fill me with the blessed peace which comes to all believers. Let me grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus name we pray Amen.