If you have been reading 1 John with us did you notice what he says in chapter 3:21-22, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
The phrase, we receive anything we ask, captured my attention. Does that describe your prayer life? It doesn’t mine. I have been blessed many times with answers to my prayers from God. But I can’t say that everything I have asked for I have received.
What was it that John said made it possible for such a successful prayer life? Confidence, obedience and pleasing God. Confidence grows out of a heart that does not condemn us. This is the result of believing in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. That is the first command to obey. Believe on the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. This saves you and makes you God’s child. And that’s basic to having your prayers answered. Then you need to obey whatever other commands God points out to you. The most basic one is to love one another.
In addition to obeying the clear commands God gives you, John said that he did what pleased God. The ability to know what will please God is the result of cultivating an intimate relationship with Him. The closer you are to Him in your daily walk the better you will be able to discern that which will please Him.
Please pray for me that this kind of confidence will grow in my life because of my consistent obedience and ability to discern and do what would please God. Thank you.
