Confidence in prayer

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 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. 1 John 5:13-15

When you become a child of God by acknowledging Jesus as Lord of your life, you are given a privilege to come to His throne boldly. The recent survey (Pew Research on Religion) showed that most people pray. The survey mentioned that a good portion of the prayers are directed toward an unknown “higher being.” From the text, one can conclude that God wants those who come to Him in prayer believe in the name of Jesus. The confidence to pray rests upon the assurance that prayer is a means of expressing ones relationship with God. Then it follows that this relationship guides how a believer prays to God. The assurance of answered prayer is by asking God in accordance with His will. The disappointment in prayer comes when God does not answer not realizing that the prayer offered was not based on His will. It is important then that you know what the will of the Lord is. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17). Prayer then is offered based on seeking God’s will. Christians are expected to be consistent in their relationship with God. They are to abide in Him like a branch growing out of the vine that produces fruit. God’s plan of answering your prayers is not just for your benefit but also to produce in you His life. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Hebrews 10:19, 22).

Blessings.