Transformed By Truth: The Power Of Prayer And God's Promises 1 John 5:14-15 Series

Transformed by Truth: The Power of Prayer and God's Promises 1 John 5:14-15

Introduction:

Today, we embark on a journey to understand the transformative power of prayer rooted in the truth of God's promises. Our text, 1 John 5:14-15, unveils the profound connection between faith-filled prayer and the assurance of God's response.

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."

Point 1: Confidence in God's Hearing

The apostle John begins by instilling confidence in believers concerning prayer. He assures us that God hears us whenever we pray according to His will. This foundational truth empowers our prayer life, knowing that our petitions are not in vain but are received by a loving and attentive Father.

John emphasises the importance of aligning our prayers with God's will. When we pray according to His purposes and desires, we can have unwavering confidence that He hears us. This confidence stems from our relationship with God as His children and His faithfulness to His promises.

Psalm 34:17 (NLT): "The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles."

In this verse, the psalmist assures us that the Lord is attentive to the cries of His people. When we call upon Him in times of distress or need, He hears us and responds with deliverance. This underscores the relational aspect of prayer, where God's responsiveness is rooted in His love and concern for His children.

Proverbs 15:29 (NLT): "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous."

This proverb contrasts the access to God through prayer for the righteous versus the wicked. It highlights the importance of living in alignment with God's ways, as the prayers of the righteous are heard and valued by the Lord. This verse underscores the relational dynamics of prayer, where righteousness opens the door to divine communion and intervention.

Point 2: Assurance of God's Answer

Building upon the foundation of God's attentive listening, John assures believers of His promise to answer our prayers according to His will. The assurance of answered prayer is rooted in our confidence that God is faithful and trustworthy to fulfil His promises.

John's words reflect Jesus' teaching on prayer, encouraging persistence and faith in God's response (Matthew 7:7-11).

Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT): "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 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."

In these verses, Jesus encourages persistence in prayer and underscores the Father's generosity towards His children. The imagery of earthly parents providing good gifts to their children illustrates God's eagerness to respond to our prayers with blessings that align with His will. This passage emphasises the relational nature of prayer and the Father's loving provision for His children.

As we pray in alignment with God's will, we can rest assured that He will grant our requests according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

Matthew 21:22 (NLT): "You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it."

Jesus affirms the power of faith-filled prayer in this verse. He assures His disciples that nothing is beyond the scope of God's ability to answer when approached in faith. This verse underscores the transformative potential of prayer rooted in unwavering trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

James 1:6-7 (NLT): "But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."

James highlights the importance of steadfast faith in prayer. He cautions against doubting God's ability or willingness to answer our prayers, emphasising the need for unwavering trust. This passage underscores the relational aspect of prayer, where faith aligns our hearts with God's purposes and opens the door to His provision.

Point 3: Living in Prayerful Confidence

The transformative truth of prayer and God's promises calls us to live in continual communion with Him. As we cultivate a lifestyle of faith-filled prayer, we experience the profound impact of God's presence and provision in our lives.