Our Power to Rejoice
Our Confidence – Part 2

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:11-15

Key Verse: 1 John 5:14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Our confidence in prayer comes from asking with a heart surrendered to God’s will. As we studied yesterday, we know that we want God’s will in every single situation because it’s “good, pleasing and perfect”! When we get that clearly in our heads and heart, then our prayers take on a solid confidence. It comes from a deep and, at times, unspoken understanding between us and our Heavenly Father. This understanding says: Whatever I ask for is only truly desired if it fits into God’s will.

I like John’s words: “He hears us” (1 John 5:14c). Yes, your prayers are not a waste of breath; God hears you! When God hears a surrendered heart making requests, He really hears! He hears our words; He “hears” our hearts; He “hears” our motives; He “hears” our deepest needs which we might not even know at the time. God certainly isn’t dependent on us using the right words in prayer! God knows that we are imperfect—formed from dust. He remembers that sin has stained our flesh and cannot perform to the perfection that our spirits would desire! Never forget: Your heavenly Father hears you!

The apostle goes on, “and if we know He hears us, we know that we have what we asked of Him” (verse 15c). When we want His perfect and pleasing will above our limited requests, we will get what we want; which may be different than what we asked for! There is a joyful, deep peace in knowing I can live in the “good, pleasing, and perfect” will of God!

Father, I praise you for your plans for my life. I’m going to like it! Help me to trust you on the days I can’t understand the plan! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.