Learning To Pray With Confidence

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him.

Prayer is the Christian’s most powerful God-given means for effecting change. Yet we’re often hesitant about our appeals.

But we should be confident in prayer, primarily because of the knowledge that we belong to God’s family (John 1:12). When we received Jesus Christ as Savior, God became our heavenly Father. As a result, we can be absolutely sure He will hear our prayers (1 John 5:14).

We have additional reason for confidence when we pray according to God’s will. Some things never fit His plan, such as lying, cheating, and actions prompted by pride, malice, or rage (Prov. 6:16-19; Col. 3:8). Insignificant matters like which color to wear or common-sense decisions like using a seatbelt are left to our discretion. But what about desires in other categories?

To know God’s will, our spirit must be submitted to God (James 4:7). In advance of His answer, we must release our grip on outcomes we want and be willing to say yes to His plan.
We study the Scriptures, where God’s general will is revealed through commands and principles. Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
We must depend on the Holy Spirit to help us pray in agreement with the Lord’s purposes (Rom. 8:26).