1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before 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 which we have asked from Him.
Does God promise in 1 John 5:14-15 that He will give us everything we ask for? Many people think they can just ask God for whatever they want and He should give it to them. Those same people believe that God is listening to everything they say (whenever they feel like talking to God) no matter who they are and no matter what they do. Are they right?
God does not promise He will listen to the prayers of just anybody. God does promise to listen to the prayers of those who are His.
God does not promise He will listen to the prayers of a believer who is praying contrary to God’s will. God does promise to listen to the prayers of a believer who is praying according to God’s will.
God does not promise He will give anybody everything they want. God does not promise He will give a believer everything he wants. God does promise He will give a believer everything he requests that is according to God’s will.
God will not be held to a promise He did not make. God will keep each and every promise He has made.
Read these cross-references written by the same author, John, below. They shed even more light on God’s requirements for answered prayer.
John 9:31 We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.
God does not hear sinners. God hears those who fear Him and do His will.
John 14:13–14 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
The context of this passage shows the “you” are believers who ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Whatever is asked must be in accordance with Who Jesus is—His Name. Then, and only then, will His response bring Glory to Himself.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
You must abide in Christ. Christ’s words must abide in you. If you abide in Him and His words in you, whatever you wish will be according to His desire, pleasure, and will.
John 16:23–24 In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
You must ask according to Jesus’ Name, Who He is. Who is He? He is the exact representation and radiance of His Glory! Whatever is asked according to Jesus’ Name will be according to the Father’s will.
1 John 3:21–22 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
We must keep His commandments. We must do the things that are pleasing in His sight. We will only ask the things that are pleasing in His sight to receive what we ask.
So, what have we seen? God must hear a prayer before He will answer it. In order for Him to hear your prayer you must be a righteous believer. In order for Him to hear your prayer it must be according to His will. If all His requirements are met, then and only then, does He promise to answer your prayer. And He keeps His promise each and every time!
Do God’s criterial demands make Him somehow less than “good”? No. Not at all. His standards bring Him Glory—they show His perfectly just and holy righteousness.
