S) "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."
1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)
O) John closes his letter with some admonishing, but also the great encouragement of the verses above (along with reminders about eternal life). It is important to note that God is omniscient. He does indeed hear everything. However, the idea of God hearing prayers, carries a different connotation of a granting of the request. For example, when the man born blind was asked about Jesus healing him (see John 9), he said, "We know that God does not hear sinners," So this is almost idiomatic, the idea of God "hearing" actually meaning God "granting" the prayer request. So, the real issue is not whether or not God knows we are praying and can audibly hear us or spiritually know the request of our hearts. The real issue, is whether or not those requests are aligned with His will. To that point, there is such a freedom when we surrender to God's will. There is freedom in realizing we don't have to make everything happen ourselves. There is freedom in learning that His commands are for our good. There is freedom in understanding that His will is better than ours, and trusting that the solution He has in mind is the best one. What that means to prayer, is that when we conform our prayers to His will, we are assured they will come to pass.
A) This truth, this promise, should really inform how and what I pray. It is not enough to simply end my prayers with a disclaimer, or a caveat, of a simple "if it's Your will." To be clear, that is indeed very important. I have seen God answer a lot of prayers in my life, and when I have been committed to a humble approach, that I only want my request if my Lord wants it for me, that has born fruit of humility, patience, and wisdom. However, when I think about this promise, that my prayers of things He wills, will be heard and granted, it makes me want to search out His will for me to pray! Specifically, what occurs to me right now, is that I need to be in prayer for my unsaved loved ones. I don't pray nearly enough for them, but I know it's God's will that none would perish but all would come to repentance. How could I have any request more powerful to pray, or more urgent? Second, and this is timely and topical to my life, is for His will over my family right now with our move to Billings. We prayed for this for almost a year, humbly submitting ourselves to His timing, His will, His provision for this move to happen. Now that we're on our way, I need to pray for His will to prevail over the rest of our lives here, and how they transition, and how we flourish, all to His glory.
P) Father, thank You for this promise, God. Thank You for hearing me when I pray for the things that matter to You. Father God, there are so many who need the gospel, who need Yiur truth to set them free. I could pray a never ending list... but for now, let me just say, please soften hearts, and open ears and eyes, especially for my brothers and sisters, my in-laws, my friends, all of whom need Your freedom and healing. I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ continue to pray for all of the unsaved whose names I don't know, but they do. Save Eric, and Tim and Shonda, and Gabe, and Feleisha. Save Pete and Bev, and their brothers and sisters, and mother. And God bless Mary Gadbaw, Lord. She is a faithful woman who loves her kids and Jesus, and I pray her requests for her kids are heard, Lord. Please save Kara and Vance, Brad and Kayla. Use me however You will in their lives, however I can play a part in their redemption stories. Just let Your will be done for them. Father God, thank You for hearing me and Kristin, in our request to move to Billings. We are so thankful that this is happening. Hasten the day, Lord, that I can go get them to join me here. When we are here, I pray we settle into our church family here. Prepare and establish relationships for us here, God, for Kristin and me as adults who need brothers and sisters here to support us in the absence of family. Please make relationships for our kids, to have godly friends who will challenge them to be better disciples of Jesus, who will encourage and admonish. Prepare our kids that they would engage in church family here, and flourish in Jess Christ, becoming strong disciples themselves. I want to serve You here as a whole family, Lord. Be glorified in us, in Billings, and let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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