Confidence in Prayer: Aligning with God's Will
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truths found in 1 John 5, focusing on the assurance of eternal life and the power of prayer. We are reminded that as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the confidence to approach God with our requests, knowing that He hears us when we ask according to His will. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should embolden us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. The passage challenges us to be a people of prayer, emphasizing that prayer is not about bending God's will to ours but aligning our hearts with His perfect will.
John's letter was written to a church facing persecution and uncertainty, much like the challenges we face today. He encourages the believers to remain steadfast in their faith, to guard against false teachings, and to continue pursuing Jesus with all their hearts. In times of distress, we are called to run to Jesus, our unshakeable rock, and trust in His sovereignty and goodness. The message also highlights the importance of interceding for one another, especially for those struggling in their faith. We are urged to pray with pure hearts, desiring God's will above our own, and to trust that God is able and willing to respond to our prayers.
Prayer is more than a ritual; it is a means of entering into God's presence, where we are reminded of His character and love for us. It is through prayer that we gain clarity on God's will and are empowered by His Spirit to accomplish His purposes. As we conclude, we are invited to engage in a time of prayer, seeking God's guidance, protection, and wisdom for our lives and our church community. Let us be a people who prioritize prayer, trusting in God's faithfulness and aligning our hearts with His will.
Key Takeaways:
- Confidence in Prayer: As believers, we have the assurance of eternal life and the confidence to approach God in prayer. This confidence is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, who hears us when we pray according to His will. Our prayers are not futile but are heard by a loving Father who desires to respond to His children. [26:50]
- Aligning with God's Will: Prayer is not about getting our way but aligning our hearts with God's will. It requires us to desire His purposes above our own and to trust that His ways are higher and better than ours. This alignment brings peace and clarity, even in uncertain times. [34:03]
- Interceding for Others: We are called to pray for one another, especially for those struggling in their faith. Intercession is a powerful act of love and support, urging us to lift up our brothers and sisters before God, trusting that He can bring restoration and healing. [48:26]
- Purity of Heart in Prayer: To have our prayers heard, we must approach God with pure hearts, free from unconfessed sin. Confession and repentance are essential to maintaining a right relationship with God and ensuring that our prayers are effective. [41:07]
- Experiencing God's Presence: Prayer takes us into God's presence, where we are reminded of His character and love. It is in His presence that we find strength, guidance, and the courage to live out our faith boldly. Prayer is a vital connection to the Father, enabling us to hear His voice and follow His lead. [54:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[26:50] - Assurance of Eternal Life
[27:49] - Guarding Against Idols
[30:02] - Context of 1 John
[31:54] - Trusting in an Unshakeable God
[32:46] - The Call to Prayer
[34:03] - Confidence in Prayer
[35:10] - The Power of Prayer
[36:52] - Aligning with God's Will
[38:09] - Interceding for Others
[39:58] - Understanding God's Will
[41:07] - Purity of Heart in Prayer
[43:07] - Confession and Repentance
[44:43] - Desiring God's Will
[46:42] - Asking in Faith
[48:26] - Praying for One Another
[51:56] - The Unforgivable Sin
[54:42] - Experiencing God's Presence
[56:10] - Hearing God's Voice
[57:04] - Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 John 5:13-21
- James 5:16
- Psalm 66:18
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 5:13-21, what assurance do believers have when they pray according to God's will? How does this assurance impact their confidence in prayer? [34:03]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between sin and effective prayer? How does unconfessed sin affect our prayers? [41:07]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of intercession for others, especially those struggling in their faith? [48:26]
4. What is the significance of aligning our prayers with God's will, as discussed in the sermon? [39:58]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the assurance of eternal life influence a believer's approach to prayer, according to the sermon? [34:03]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is more than just a ritual? How does it serve as a means of entering into God's presence? [54:42]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of purity of heart in prayer? How does this relate to the effectiveness of our prayers? [41:07]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to respond to those who have fallen away from the faith? What is the role of prayer in this context? [51:56]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. Do you approach God with confidence, knowing He hears you? How can you cultivate this confidence in your daily prayers? [34:03]
2. Are there any unconfessed sins in your life that might be hindering your prayers? What steps can you take to address these and ensure a pure heart before God? [41:07]
3. Think of someone in your life who is struggling in their faith. How can you intercede for them this week? What specific prayers can you offer on their behalf? [48:26]
4. How can you better align your prayers with God's will rather than your own desires? What practices can help you discern His will more clearly? [39:58]
5. Consider the role of prayer in your church community. How can you encourage others to prioritize prayer and seek God's guidance collectively? [36:52]
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence through prayer. How did it impact your understanding of His character and love for you? [54:42]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need God's wisdom and guidance. How can you seek His direction through prayer this week? [46:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Confidence in Approaching God
As believers, we have the profound assurance of eternal life and the confidence to approach God in prayer. This confidence is not based on our own merit but is rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we pray according to His will, we can be assured that our prayers are heard by a loving Father who desires to respond to His children. This understanding transforms prayer from a mere ritual into a powerful expression of faith and trust. It encourages us to live boldly, knowing that our prayers are not in vain but are part of a dynamic relationship with God. [26:50]
1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward 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 that we have asked of him."
Reflection: What specific request have you been hesitant to bring before God? How can you approach Him with confidence today, trusting in His willingness to hear and respond?
Day 2: Aligning Our Hearts with God's Will
Prayer is not about persuading God to fulfill our desires but about aligning our hearts with His perfect will. This alignment requires us to desire His purposes above our own and to trust that His ways are higher and better than ours. In times of uncertainty, aligning with God's will brings peace and clarity, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and direction. It is through this alignment that we find true fulfillment and joy, knowing that we are part of God's greater plan. [34:03]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will? How can you begin to trust His higher ways today?
Day 3: The Power of Intercession
We are called to intercede for one another, especially for those struggling in their faith. Intercession is a powerful act of love and support, urging us to lift up our brothers and sisters before God. Through intercession, we participate in God's work of restoration and healing, trusting that He can bring about change in the lives of those we pray for. This act of prayer not only impacts others but also deepens our own faith as we witness God's faithfulness in responding to our prayers. [48:26]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who in your life is struggling in their faith and needs your prayers today? How can you commit to interceding for them regularly?
Day 4: Purity of Heart in Prayer
To have our prayers heard, we must approach God with pure hearts, free from unconfessed sin. Confession and repentance are essential to maintaining a right relationship with God and ensuring that our prayers are effective. When we come before God with a pure heart, we open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives, allowing Him to shape us into the people He desires us to be. This purity of heart is not about perfection but about a sincere desire to live in obedience and alignment with God's will. [41:07]
Psalm 66:18-19 (ESV): "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer."
Reflection: Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that may be hindering your prayers? How can you seek God's forgiveness and approach Him with a pure heart today?
Day 5: Experiencing God's Presence
Prayer takes us into God's presence, where we are reminded of His character and love. It is in His presence that we find strength, guidance, and the courage to live out our faith boldly. Through prayer, we connect with the Father, enabling us to hear His voice and follow His lead. This experience of God's presence is not limited to moments of prayer but extends into every aspect of our lives, empowering us to live with purpose and conviction. [54:42]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to experience God's presence in your daily life? What practices can you incorporate to remain connected to Him throughout the day?
Quotes
from our Lord, to get to cry out to him and to lift our burdens to him, to know that he is God and sovereign and in control and that he loves us and calls us his children, that he hears us when we cry out to him. I'm reminded as I just think about this God who we get to live our life for, that we get to lift our prayers to, and that he works in the midst of our life. In the midst of the mess. I love that. [00:24:46] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
See, if what Charles Spurgeon says is true, I shake in the midst of uncertainty but my rock moves not, then at every possible turn, when the foundation of our lives and our faith is shaken, there is one whom we can always run to. And he is always faithful. And he is always good. And so we can always trust him. Amen. [00:32:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We are going to teach on prayer, but at the end of the sermon, I believe it is incumbent that we call the body of Christ to prayer. See, John's reminding the church that there is a time for prayer. I love the way he starts, and it's so good. It says this, I've written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. [00:33:14] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
That because we have eternal life and salvation in Jesus, we can have confidence in going before Jesus. And casting our cares upon Jesus. I love the way the ESV just adds this one word that connects everything together. I've written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And, so simple. [00:34:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The gospel is a gospel that is ultimately not about us but about the Lord and his son Jesus Christ. And that no matter how smart we can be, no matter how excellent we can do things, we are a people who are utterly powerless if we are disconnected from the vine of Jesus. God is able to do more in a moment than we can do in a lifetime. [00:37:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Our prayer is lifted up before a father and before a son who is seated upon his throne. Who is sovereign and powerful and able. Who hears his children when they go before him. And so that is why John tells the church, if we ask anything according to his will, so key that it's not just give him our Christmas wish list, but if we ask anything in accordance to his perfect will, he hears us. [00:39:24] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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