1 John 5:14-15 - Certainty in prayer

Scripture:

1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
NASU


Thoughts:

God offers further assurance to the believer:  He hears and answers prayer.

However, He does not merely answer prayer as a blind act, He does so only in accordance with His will (verse 14).  This frustrates us when we desire things that are not His will for us, but in actuality it demonstrates His great love.  How many times have we made a request in prayer, only later to be thankful it was not granted!

This also demonstrates a right understanding of God as truly God -- the Supreme -- and not a servant of us.  Animist religions teach that through prayers and offerings, spiritual forces can be manipulated to do the will of the one who asks.  Someone might pray under those beliefs to harm another or put a curse on them.  Isn't it a relief to know that God cannot be manipulated like this? He always acts in accordance with His will.


Prayer:

Thank You Father, that You bring certainty into our uncertain lives.  You are a fixed landmark in any storm. 

Thank You that You answer prayer in the way that You know is best.  Even through unanswered prayer, You are working for my good as a Christian.  Grant me the faith to believe this truth, when our wills are not the same.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.