The apostle John uses the word “confidence” three times in his first epistle, and today we will see that it is used in connection with prayer (1 John 5:14,15). Glory to God that because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2, 4:10), we as His children can pray to God with confidence (Ephesians 3:12)!
Confidence does not mean cocky, nor does it mean flippantly, for it is only as we abide in Christ and His Word abides in us that we can pray confidently (John 15:7). Prayer is an all-encompassing means which God has given to us whereby we can come before His throne of grace at all times because of Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16). Prayer is that living link between earth and heaven (Matthew 6:9,10; Revelation 5:8). It is the language of trust (Psalm 91:2). It is the language of dependency upon the resources of God.
John reminds us, “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Prayer is not simply asking God for things, for that is inconsistent with what it is all about. Indeed we should pray about everything and pray for everything, but God is not some genie in a bottle which can be rubbed three times to have some fleshly desire fulfilled (James 4:3,4). The ultimate purpose of prayer is that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven (Luke 11:2). It is as needful for us to ask today for the Lord to teach us to pray (and what to pray for) as it was the day that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1).
As we read about praying with confidence today, may we seek to put into practice the truths that we learn (James 1:22). Do you have a time each day when you get alone with The Lord and pray? Do you ever attend a prayer meeting? If not, why not? Jesus said that His house would be called “a house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7; Luke 19:46). May the attitude of humble, consistent prayer be true of every single person and each household that consider Koinonia Fellowship to be their home church.
The need for prayer is urgent. We are living in the last days (1 John 2:18). Not all can lead worship, and not all are given the gift of teaching; but there is one thing that each and every saint can do, should do, must do, and that is pray (Luke 18:1-8).
