Go! And Pray with Confidence
1 John 5:14-15 (NLT): "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."
Introduction: The Privilege of Prayer
Prayer is not merely a religious duty; it is a divine privilege. Through prayer, we commune with the Creator of the universe. Yet, how often do we approach God with hesitation, doubting whether He hears us or will answer our petitions?
In our key text, the Apostle John assures us of the confidence we can have in approaching God. Let's delve into this passage to understand the foundation of this confidence and how it transforms our prayer life.
I. The Confidence We Have in Him
The Greek word for "confidence" here is parresia, which denotes boldness and assurance. John emphasizes that our confidence is not in ourselves but in Him—in God's character and promises.
This confidence is rooted in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Earlier in his epistle, John writes:
"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5:4, NLT)
Our faith in Jesus grants us victory and access to the Father.
Hebrews 4:16 (NLT): "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
This verse is a glorious invitation to approach Almighty God—not with fear and trembling, but with confidence. Not because of our worthiness, but because of Jesus’ righteousness. The Greek word translated as “boldly” is parresia, meaning freedom of speech, openness, confidence. What a staggering thought: through Christ, we are granted full access to the very throne room of heaven!
It is not a throne of judgment for the believer—it is a throne of grace. A place where mercy flows like a river, where grace is available in our time of deepest need. We do not come grovelling as beggars; we come as children, welcomed by our gracious Father because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
So come—don’t delay. Come when you're weak. Come when you're weary. Come when you're struggling. Come because Jesus, your great High Priest, intercedes for you. He understands. He welcomes you. And He supplies exactly what you need.
Let us pray with confidence, live with courage, and walk in grace—because Christ has opened the way!
Ephesians 3:12 (NLT): "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence."
What an astounding truth this is! Because of Christ—not our works, not our merit, not our religious effort, but because of Jesus and our faith in Him—we are granted bold and confident access to the throne room of God. The Greek word translated “boldly” (parresia) speaks of freedom of speech, openness without fear. And “confidently” (pepoithesei) carries the idea of firm trust, of knowing we belong.
Once, sin locked the door to God's presence. But Jesus, by His blood, flung that door wide open! We are no longer outsiders peeking in—we are sons and daughters walking in!
So don’t come to God timidly, like a servant afraid of the master's wrath. Come boldly, like a child running into their Father’s arms. The One who made a way through the cross now invites you to draw near. Go! And live in that access. Go! And pray with confidence. Go! And rest in the presence of the One who loves you beyond measure.
When we grasp the depth of God's love and the access we have through Christ, our prayers shift from timid requests to bold petitions. We approach not as beggars but as beloved children.
Tim Keller once said: "Prayer is the way to experience a powerful confidence that God is handling our lives well, that our bad things will turn out for good, our good things cannot be taken from us, and the best things are yet to come."
This encapsulates the essence of our confidence in prayer. It's not about manipulating outcomes but trusting in God's sovereign goodness.
II. Asking According to His Will
John specifies that our confidence is tied to asking "for anything that pleases him." This aligns our desires with God's will.
The Greek phrase kata to thelema autou translates to "according to His will." It's not a blank check for any request but an invitation to align our hearts with God's purposes.
Matthew 6:10 (NLT): "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
This short but powerful petition is the heartbeat of a surrendered life. In this verse, Jesus teaches us not just to long for heaven, but to live as citizens of heaven now. When we pray, “May your Kingdom come soon,” we are expressing our deep yearning for Christ’s rule to be fully realised—first in our own hearts, then in our communities, and ultimately in all creation.
And when we say, “May your will be done,” we are not offering God advice—we are yielding to His perfect wisdom. The Greek word for “will” here is thelema, which means His desired purpose or pleasure. This is not passive submission but active alignment. We pray this not just to escape trouble but to be transformed, to become doers of His will, not hearers only.
We are not called to pray for earth to become more like us—but for earth to become more like heaven. That’s a radical call to obedience, to service, to holiness.
So I ask you, are you praying this with sincerity? Are you living as if the King is already reigning in your life? The Kingdom is not only coming—it is already at hand in Jesus. Let’s live in step with the King.
James 4:3 (NLT): "And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."
Church, James pulls no punches here—he exposes the heart behind our prayers. It’s not that God is unwilling to answer; it’s that He sees through our words into our desires. This verse is a mirror that forces us to ask: Why am I praying for this? Is it to honour God or to indulge myself?
In the Greek, the word for "wrong" motives—kakos—can mean "sick," "corrupt," or "evil." When we pray with selfish intent, we are essentially asking God to bless our sin. And God, who is holy, will never fund our rebellion.
This verse reminds us that prayer isn’t about getting God to do our will—it’s about surrendering to His will. Jesus, our perfect example, prayed in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Let that be our heartbeat too.
Have you checked your motives lately? Are you praying with surrendered faith—or selfish ambition? Let the Spirit of God cleanse and align your heart today.
Aligning with God's will requires intimacy with Him. As we grow in our relationship, our desires begin to reflect His heart.
John Piper stated: "Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need."
Prayer is not about bending God's will to ours but submitting our will to His, trusting in His perfect plan.
III. He Hears Us
John assures us that God hears us. The Greek word akouei implies attentive listening. God is not distant or indifferent; He is intimately involved.
Psalm 34:17 (NLT): "The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles."
What a glorious truth this is! The angel of the Lord—not merely a distant observer but a divine guardian—surrounds and defends those who fear Him. The Hebrew word used here for "fear" (yare’) speaks not of terror, but of reverent awe, a deep respect born from knowing who God truly is. When we walk in humble submission to our holy God, we are not alone. His protection is not partial—it surrounds us. He doesn’t merely step in when trouble arises; He is ever-present, actively guarding His people.
This verse is a beautiful reminder that we don’t need to live in fear of the world when we live in awe of the Lord. He is our shield, our defender, and our strength. Trust in Him, walk in His ways, and know that His protection is both faithful and complete.
Jeremiah 29:12 (NLT): "In those days when you pray, I will listen."
What a precious promise from our faithful God! In the context of this verse, the Lord is speaking to His people in exile—a people who had been disciplined, yet not discarded. God reminds them, even in their disobedience, that restoration is possible. And how? Through prayer. Through turning back to Him.
The Hebrew word used for “pray” here is “palal”—it means more than a routine recitation; it carries the weight of intercession, pleading, petitioning with deep dependence. And the word translated “listen” is “shama”, meaning to hear intelligently, to pay attention with intent. This isn’t passive hearing—it’s the God of heaven actively inclining His ear toward His people.
God says, “When you pray… I will listen.” Not “if,” not “maybe.” But I will. That is covenant faithfulness. That is grace.
Friends, we do not cry out into the void—we speak to the living God who has promised to hear His children. And because of Jesus Christ—who through His cross tore the veil—we now have confident access to the throne of grace. So Go! And pray. Go! And seek Him. He is listening. Will you speak?
Knowing that God hears us transforms our prayer life. We pray not into a void but to a loving Father who listens.
Charles Stanley once said: "We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength."
God's attentive ear brings comfort and strength, especially in our weakest moments.
IV. He Will Give Us What We Ask For
John concludes that if God hears us, we can be assured that He will answer. This is not a guarantee of getting everything we want but a promise that God responds in accordance with His will.
Matthew 7:11 (NLT): "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
This is a glorious reminder of the goodness of our God. Jesus is speaking to a crowd that understands the natural love a parent has for their child. Even in our fallen, sinful state, we still long to bless those we love. So how much more — how much more! — will our perfect, holy, and loving heavenly Father give good gifts to His children?
In the Greek, the word for "good" is ??a??? (agathos) — not merely good in quality, but morally and spiritually beneficial. God doesn't just give us what we want; He gives us what is best — even when we don’t realise it.
This verse isn’t promising us health, wealth, or worldly ease. It’s promising something far better: a Father who is generous, wise, and perfectly loving — One who knows what we need and delights to give it when we ask.
So don’t hesitate to pray. Don’t approach God as a distant deity — come as a child, trusting your Father, and knowing He is good, always.
Romans 8:28 (NLT): "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
Romans 8:28 is not a vague hope—it is a solid, Spirit-inspired promise. It does not say everything is good, but that God causes everything to work together for good. That includes your victories and your valleys, your tears and your triumphs.
The Greek word used here for "work together" is synergeo, from which we get our word “synergy.” It’s the image of a sovereign God weaving every thread of your life—both bright and dark—into a divine tapestry for your eternal good and His eternal glory.
But this promise is not for everyone—it is for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. That is, for those who are in Christ Jesus.
So, when life feels confusing or chaotic, trust the One who is both the Author and the Finisher of your faith. God is not improvising. He is orchestrating.
When you don’t understand the “why,” trust the “Who.” You may not see the good today, but God is already at work in your tomorrow.
God's answers may not always align with our expectations, but they are always for our ultimate good.
Tim Keller wisely noted: "God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything he knows."
Trusting in God's wisdom means accepting His answers, even when they differ from our desires.
The Trusting Child
Imagine a child asking their parent for something. The child doesn't worry about the logistics or feasibility; they trust their parent to provide what's best. Similarly, we approach God with childlike faith, trusting in His provision.
The Aligned Compass
A compass always points north, but if it's near a magnet, it can be misaligned. Our hearts are like compasses; when influenced by sin or selfish desires, they can stray. Prayer realigns our hearts to God's true north—His will.
The Gospel Presentation:
Our confidence in prayer is rooted in the Gospel. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, bridged the gap between us and God. By repenting of our sins and placing our faith in Him, we are adopted into God's family, granting us direct access to the Father.
Call to Action:
Believers: Evaluate your prayer life. Are you approaching God with confidence, aligning your desires with His will?
Seekers: If you haven't placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day. Repent and trust in Him, and experience the transformative power of a relationship with God.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you desire to begin a relationship with Jesus, pray:
"Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my sin and need for You. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I repent and place my trust in You as my Lord and Saviour. Amen."
Conclusion and Benediction
As we go forth, let's remember:
We have confidence in approaching God.
Aligning with His will transforms our desires.
God hears and responds to our prayers.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
