TO THE BIBLE: 1 John 5:14
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
LET’S TALK
Some people will look at 1 John 5:14 and conclude erroneously that God picks the prayers He hears and answers, provided that they’re “according to His will.” But that’s not what John is saying here. When you study the entire chapter properly, you’ll see it’s not talking about whether or not your request is consistent with the Father’s will; rather, it’s dealing with the Father’s will for making a request. It’s about having a hearing before the Father. The emphasis actually is “How do we ask according to His will?”
The answer is simple: It’s by asking the Father in the Name of Jesus! In John 16:23-24, the Lord Jesus said, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Here, He introduced the disciples to a new way of asking, letting them know of the new day when they would ask the Father directly for whatever they desired, in His Name. He wanted them to understand that His Name connected them directly to the Father, and that He had given them the right to use it in prayer.
Today, we’re living in that day Jesus spoke of. All you need to do for God to hear and answer your prayer is to ask boldly in the Name of Jesus. That’s asking according to His will, and this guarantees you a hearing. Moreover, 1 John 5:15 assures that if you know that you’re heard, you’re also sure that your requests are granted. Isn’t it great to know that you can boldly ask anything of the Father—in the Name of Jesus—and receive an answer? He’s more willing to hear and answer you than you’re willing to ask. Therefore, be bold to ask what you will, in the Name of Jesus!
Go Deeper
Matthew 21:22; Luke 11:9; 1 Peter 3:12
Pray
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word to me today. Now I know how to ask in order to have a hearing, and I’m confident that I have the answer to every request I make in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
John 3:1-21, 2 Samuel 22
TWO YEAR
Mark 8:10-21, Numbers 9
Act
Make bold requests of the Father, using the Name of Jesus.
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