by Glen R. Jackman
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 ESV)
Pray according to God’s Will
The practical question that follows John’s assertion is: How can we know if we are praying according to God’s will? That is an intensely practical question to ask as we take the initiative to pray with a desire for God to hear us.
To properly understand 1 John 5:14, we must connect the words “anything according to his will” with “ask”– not focusing only on the word “anything” without condition. A prayer is not an all-inclusive abracadabra as if it is a word spoken by a magician when performing a magic trick. We cannot ask for anything outside of His divine will. God won’t be used as if we’re making a wish to a big genie in the sky.
Similarly, let’s connect “he hears us” with “the confidence that we have toward him”. Not only the thing asked for, but also the attitude and trust of the one who is asking must be in line with God’s will. Both the thing asked for and the spirit of asking must be in a committed, respectful, harmony towards God regarding His will expressed in the scriptures.
Jesus’ teaching continually connected the answer to prayer with a life that was being lived according to God’s will, bearing evident godly fruit: trusting, forgiving, merciful, humble, peaceful, believing, asking in His name, abiding in His love, observing/keeping His commands, and having His words abiding within and being born anew and led by the Holy Spirit. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV) A life in line with God’s will, can and will ask according to God’s will.
When you live according to God’s will, you are spiritually able to discern what to ask for. A life yielded to and molded by the will of God will know what and how to pray. “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom 8:26 ESV) Boldness in prayer comes from the assurance that the way – the disposition of asking and the thing asked for are both according to the will of God.