The Christian's Relationship with Prayer

By Pastor Dan Hickling 

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”—1 John 5:14 (NKJV)

The verse above really gets to the heart of the believer’s relationship to prayer. Notice the sweeping statement that’s written here: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

When we read through God’s Word, we often encounter statements that appear too good to be true. If we were to be totally honest, this passage probably qualifies as one of them. If we ask (pray for) anything that aligns with God’s will, He hears it! 

Stop and dwell on this for a moment. Generally speaking, access to a person decreases as their power increases. We can’t just walk up and take up the time of “important” people. An appointment is needed, and even then, we may or may not get access to that person in power.

How wonderfully different God is! The most powerful being in all existence has granted unrestricted access to His people through the avenue of prayer. Beyond this, He desires that we take advantage of this privilege by asking anything within His will. No quotas or limitations, as long as something conforms to God’s plan and purpose, we’re invited to ask Him for it and He hears it!

Our relationship to prayer doesn’t end there. Watch what we’re told once God hears our prayers: “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:15 NKJV).

After hearing our prayers that conform to His will, God answers them! This is what is meant when we’re assured that “we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Now, we need to remember that God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect Him to. Sometimes He answers our requests but in a manner that’s different from the timing or the means we assume or ask for.

But as we entrust the specific details of the Lord’s answers to His providence, we find unparalleled rest in the unparalleled relationship that we have to prayer, which gives us access to and assurance in the heart of God Himself.