“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV)
What is the purpose of prayer? Since God already knows all things and decrees all things (Ephesians 1:11), is there any real reason to pray? God does not change (James 1:17), so isn’t he already going to give us what he is going to give us whether we pray or not?
Yes and no. Yes, God has “foreordained whatsoever comes to pass” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 7), and “no purpose of [his] can be thwarted (Job 42:2).” The all-powerful hand of God will accomplish his plans without exception. Yet, at the same time, God is pleased to work through the ordinary course of events. God will save all his elect, but he accomplishes that through the faithful witness of his church. God will give peace to his people, but that peace ordinarily comes through the supplications of his otherwise anxious people (Philippians 4:6-7). God gives wisdom to believers, but he gives it to those who ask (James 1:5).
This is simply to say that, while prayer does not change God, he does use it as the means of bringing to pass that which he has already decreed. Along with that, prayer changes us. When we pray, we cast our cares upon God because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and will sustain us (Psalm 55:22). Prayer is how we regularly commune with God as our Father. Prayer is our expression of dependence upon God as the one who provides for all our needs (Matthew 6:26). Consider the magnitude of presumption of a son who never asks his father for anything nor thanks him for what he has given because he takes it for granted that his father will provide. Such is the state of the Christian who does not bring his or her requests and thanksgivings to God.
John says we have “confidence” in our prayers because we know that God hears us. God listens to every request of every one of his children. Furthermore, the infinite nature of God means that he gives care and attention to each request as if it is the only thing he hears. However, there are conditions. John’s confidence that God hears us depends on our asking “according to his will.”
We should not infer from such a statement that one must know the secret things of God in order to pray rightly (Deuteronomy 29:29). Rather, it means that our prayers ought to align with what we know of God’s character and commandments. Thus, our ability to pray according to God’s will grows as we grow in our knowledge of and communion with him. How can we pray for that which is consistent with who God is if we do not know who God is? Thankfully, God has made himself known to us in his Word. It is not only our duty, but also our profound privilege, to diligently seek to know God in the fullness of his character as presented to us in Scripture.
Such knowledge, when rightly exercised, will guide our prayers in the proper direction.
John Calvin says,
“When [John] says that all the petitions of the faithful are heard, he speaks of right and humble petitions, and such as are consistent with the rule of obedience. For the faithful do not give loose reins to their desires, nor indulge in anything that may please them, but always regard in their prayers what God commands.”
That we pray is imperative. How we pray is essential.
Knowing God is foundational to proper prayer, and proper prayer increases our knowledge of and love for God. Prayer is the lifeline of communication between Christ and his sheep. As we come to God in prayer, we do so with confidence. We do not approach God with doubt, uncertainty, or fear, but with bold assurance that, in Christ, God does not merely permit us to come to him in prayer but lovingly entreats us to do so.
When you feel burdened, cast your burdens on the Lord, knowing that, when we pray in accordance with the character and command of God, he hears every word and delights to grant our requests.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the privilege of prayer. Thank you for making a way for us to commune with you as your children. Give us a right understanding of who you are so that we may pray in a manner that honors you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for the missionaries serving at the Hospital of Hope in Togo who offer specialized care to patients suffering from malnutrition.
- Wednesday: Pray for the missionaries preparing to serve in New Zealand, along with ABWE leadership in Asia, as they complete the requirements for opening a new ministry field.
- Thursday: Pray for the faculty and staff of Baptist Theological Seminary in Lima as they train the next generation of church leaders in Peru.
- Friday: Pray for the missionaries and national staff serving at Florece Prenatal Center in Iquique, Chile, as they provide free pregnancy tests, maternity classes, and post-abortion counseling to those in need.
- Saturday: Pray for safety and perseverance for those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and that God would open doors for gospel witness amid the turmoil.
- Sunday: Pray that those ministering to first responders and military personnel will effectively proclaim the hope and peace of Christ to those serving in difficult situations.
- Monday: Pray for a church plant outside Madrid, Spain, to find contractors to complete the renovations to their newly purchased church building so they will have space for several planned outreach events.
Featured Opportunity to Serve:
Church Planter
Location: Brazil
We are looking for someone with a passion to preach the Word, equip the saints, and reach the lost to serve with us in a church planting ministry among the unreached Hunsrik people group in southern Brazil.
