“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Prayer is a demonstration of the Christian’s confidence in God (3:21). 

Now this is the confidence

Christians can pray confidently because they know God hears and answers prayer. This brings conviction to their prayers. 

The origin of the word “confidence” is in the idea of freedom of speech (2:28).  Christians have the privilege of talking freely and confidently to God about their needs. 

John addresses the subject of “confidence” at three previous points in this epistle:

1)      Confidence of freedom from shame at the rapture, 2:28,

2)      Confidence of a clear conscience in prayer, 3:21-22, and

3)      Confidence at the judgment seat of Christ because our love resembles God’s love, 4:17. 

PRINCIPLE: 

God is accessible to the believer. 

APPLICATION: 

Christians can have confidence in approaching the Father in prayer.  Confidence in prayer is for those who are born again, yet many experience frustration in prayer.  They can trust God for eternal life, but they cannot trust Him for this life.  We trust God for a life without end, but we do not trust Him to meet our financial needs. 

We have a general faith in God but very little confidence in Him.  We know that we place confidence in God if we have an effective prayer life.

Mt 7:7,  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Eph 3:20-21,  ²⁰ “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”