This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.   1 John 5:14-15 CSB

I love this verse! It excites my heart to read these words.  Sadly so many have taken this passage out of context and distorted the words to push a prosperity agenda.  Let’s take a moment and gain a proper understanding of this incredible promise!

The verse begins with proclaiming the confident, reliable hope that we have that God (The Creator of the Universe) hears us when we pray.  Take a moment and let that sink in!  Imagine – who are we, mere mortals that God would be mindful of us? Read Psalm 8.  But this is TRUE – God loves us and hears us when we pray.  John wants you and me to have this confident hope!  Incredible!

Then John saves the best for last!  Not only does God hear us when we pray and bring our petitions to Him; but He is faithful to answer our prayers too!  He explains that God knows our needs and faithfully supplies all of our needs according to his riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19).   A mature believer knows these truths full well.

However, to the casual reader, one can read this passage and interpret God as more of a genie in a bottle rather than sovereign and powerful.  This is simply not the case; it’s bad theology and a dangerous misunderstanding.  The key to understanding and correctly interpreting this passage is found in the words “according to His will”.   When we pray according to (or in agreement with) His will, not only does He hear us, but you can have the confidence that God will answer your prayers.  The key is to align our heart’s and desires with the will of God and His Kingdom purposes.  Jesus explains this best in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”  When our hearts and minds are aligned with God and His Kingdom – our prayers naturally change – and align with His Will.  Our plans, our goals, our objectives become Kingdom Plans – and you can be assured that WHENEVER you need to accomplish a Kingdom Purpose – God will provide a way and the resources!

Question: does your heart have Kingdom focus?  What are you praying for right now that is Kingdom Focused and aligned with God’s will found in scripture? Whatever it is, you can have the confidence that God will answer! 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving and caring so deeply for me.  Thank you for the confident assurance that when I pray – You hear me!  Forgive me Father for my selfishness and self-centered prayers in the past.  I repent and confess that I will no longer look to you as a “genie” in which to have my immediate wants and desires fulfilled.  Renew my thoughts, mind and heart to have a Kingdom mindset – to see the world as you see it – and to adjust my steps to serve Your Kingdom and not my own!  Amen.

Written By: Pastor Steve Wells