1st John 5:15. “And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired if him.” HE HEARS. The confused mumblings of first awaking thoughts – He hears. When the eyes open and coherency forms first words – He hears. The initial thoughts of this day being the “Coming Day” – He hears. Even the child-like thanks for a night that was good – He hears.
Thanks for the beauty of a new day – the ability to see the light – He hears. Prayers for understanding of His Word that He might clarify – He hears. The spiritual light enters my mind putting trivial things to flight He hears My spirit is lifted, my heart is warmed, and my soul is revived – He hears.
Food for sustenance is there before us, to Him I give my thanks He hears. Asking for grace to live this day in fellowship with Him and others – He hears. Listening to requests expressed from other lips my view expands – He hears. Knowing it is good to experience other’s prayers, I say, “Amen” to Father – He hears.
In the busy pursuit of life and work, short requests are made – He hears. Decisions have to be made quickly and guidance is needed – He hears. Unexpected events arise, obligations to be fulfilled and paid – he hears. People who have souls are all around, I pray knowing it is not unheeded – He hears.
We gather with saints to sing, to worship, to learn and to pray – He ears. The field is the world, nations of people and leaders and leaders of nations – He hears. Some pray aloud, others in silence, we all know whatever we say – He hears. From the first supplication to the final “Amen” of sincere adoration – He hears.
Knees are bent by the bedside, the day reviewed from last to first – He hears. Confession of sins committed is over; some final words of intercession – He hears. Grateful thoughts that are hard to express in words come without words – He hears. Eyes close, a simple phrase, “Good night Father, thanks for salvation” – He hears. “Father God, thanks for listening to my prayers and answering as You know is best. The best desire I could ever have would be so much less than what Thou does give, that I am ashamed at my limitations. I trust Thee, Father without question. I pray Thou would make me spiritually sensible to Thy will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The word of God gives assurance of our life in Christ, and so do answered prayers. Confidence in prayer is not a brash attitude, but rather a spiritual awareness of who God is and of who we are as His respectful children. We don't make demands of our Father but by fellowship with Him and listening to Him speak to us in His word, we speak to Him in prayer about He wants for us. His will is made known to us in both general and specific ways. When something is written that is specific, then our prayer is for the wisdom and will to carry out that activity. When we know His will in a general way, then we ask in faith that He will open the way unmistakably before us. We need His power to carry out that specific task by our prayers. "Supplications, prayers, intercession and giving of thanks," are all in this area of our fellowship with God as we communicate with Him. He gives answers. We can pray in confidence.
When we know a brother or sister in Christ is involved in a sinful practice, we must pray to God on behalf of that person with the confidence that God can do what needs to be done for that person. At the time of John's writing some of the Lord's people were listening to false teachers. The same thing is going on today. There were those who were engaged in worldly practices. The same thing is going on today. Idolatry was claiming the minds of those who put that which they could see ahead of spiritual things. The idolatry of materialism is going on today.