Confidence in Prayer: Aligning with God's Will

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Desires with God's Will

Confidence in prayer is rooted in aligning our desires with God's will. Prayer is not about persuading God to fulfill our personal wishes but about seeking His will to be done in our lives and circumstances. When we pray according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears us and will answer. This alignment requires a deep relationship with God, where His words abide in us, transforming our desires to reflect His. As we grow in understanding His will, our prayers become powerful and effective, not because of our eloquence but because they resonate with His heart. [06:00]

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 is one area of your life where you struggle to align your desires with God's will? How can you invite God to transform your desires in this area today?

Day 2: The Importance of Asking

Asking in prayer is essential. Many times, we fail to receive because we do not ask. While prayer involves worship, thanksgiving, and listening, we should not hesitate to bring our requests before God, trusting that He cares about every aspect of our lives. God invites us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. This act of asking is not about demanding but about expressing our dependence on Him and acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives. [03:13]

James 4:2-3 (ESV): "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

Reflection: What is one specific request you have been hesitant to bring before God? How can you express your trust in His care by asking Him today?

Day 3: Interceding for Others

Praying for others, especially those in sin, is a powerful act of love. When we see a brother or sister struggling, our first response should be to pray for them, asking God to grant them life and restoration. This intercession demonstrates our love and concern for their spiritual well-being. It is an opportunity to partner with God in His redemptive work, trusting that our prayers can lead to transformation and healing in the lives of others. [17:54]

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intercede for today? How can you commit to praying for their spiritual restoration and well-being?

Day 4: Security in Christ

Our protection in Christ is secure. Being born of God means we have a new nature that resists habitual sin, and we are safeguarded from the enemy's grasp. Satan cannot attach himself to us because we belong to Jesus Christ. This assurance of security is not a call to complacency but an invitation to live boldly in the freedom and victory that Christ has won for us. We are called to stand firm in our identity as children of God, knowing that He is our refuge and strength. [29:24]

1 John 5:18 (ESV): "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him."

Reflection: In what ways do you need to embrace the security you have in Christ today? How can this assurance empower you to resist temptation and live boldly for Him?

Day 5: Guarding Against Idolatry

Idolatry can subtly creep into our lives when we fashion a false image of God in our minds. We must ensure that our understanding of God aligns with Scripture, avoiding the temptation to create a god that suits our preferences. True worship involves knowing and serving the God who is revealed in the Bible. This requires a commitment to studying His Word and allowing it to shape our understanding of who He is, guarding our hearts against the subtle allure of idolatry. [36:35]

1 Corinthians 10:14 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."

Reflection: What false images of God might you be holding onto? How can you seek a deeper understanding of the true God as revealed in Scripture today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the book of 1 John, we've reached the final chapter, where John emphasizes the importance of having confidence in our relationship with Jesus Christ, particularly in the realm of prayer. John assures us that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us. This confidence in prayer is not about casting wishes into the heavens but about having a real, expectant faith that God listens and desires to answer our prayers. Many of us struggle with this confidence, often treating prayer like a wish upon a star rather than a conversation with a loving Father who desires to fulfill His will in our lives.

John encourages us to ask God for what is on our hearts, reminding us that prayer is not just about asking but also about aligning our desires with God's will. The secret to powerful prayer lies in seeking God's will rather than trying to persuade Him to fulfill our own agendas. When we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, our desires become aligned with His, and we can pray with confidence, knowing that we are asking according to His will.

John also addresses the importance of praying for others, especially those who are in sin. He emphasizes that our first response should be to pray for them, demonstrating love and concern for their spiritual well-being. This act of intercession is a powerful expression of love and can lead to restoration and life for those who are struggling.

As we conclude our study of 1 John, we are reminded of the protection we have in Christ. Being born of God means we have a new nature that resists habitual sin, and we are safeguarded from the enemy's grasp. Our relationship with God is secure, and we are called to keep ourselves from idols, ensuring that our worship is directed toward the true God as revealed in Scripture.

Key Takeaways

1. Confidence in prayer comes from aligning our desires with God's will. Prayer is not about persuading God to fulfill our wishes but about seeking His will to be done in our lives and circumstances. When we pray according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears us and will answer. [06:00]
2. Asking in prayer is essential. Many times, we fail to receive because we do not ask. While prayer involves worship, thanksgiving, and listening, we should not hesitate to bring our requests before God, trusting that He cares about every aspect of our lives. [03:13]
3. Praying for others, especially those in sin, is a powerful act of love. When we see a brother or sister struggling, our first response should be to pray for them, asking God to grant them life and restoration. This intercession demonstrates our love and concern for their spiritual well-being. [17:54]
4. Our protection in Christ is secure. Being born of God means we have a new nature that resists habitual sin, and we are safeguarded from the enemy's grasp. Satan cannot attach himself to us because we belong to Jesus Christ. [29:24]
5. Idolatry can subtly creep into our lives when we fashion a false image of God in our minds. We must ensure that our understanding of God aligns with Scripture, avoiding the temptation to create a god that suits our preferences. True worship involves knowing and serving the God who is revealed in the Bible. [36:35]
** [36:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to 1 John 5
[00:52] - Confidence in Prayer
[02:18] - Asking According to His Will
[03:13] - The Importance of Asking
[05:30] - Praying About Anything
[06:00] - Aligning with God's Will
[07:48] - Abiding in Christ
[09:29] - The Secret of Answered Prayer
[12:15] - Powerful Prayers in the Bible
[15:28] - Praying for a Sinning Brother
[18:58] - Sin Leading to Death
[21:28] - Physical Death vs. Spiritual Death
[26:04] - Protection from Sin and Satan
[32:18] - Knowing the True God
[34:10] - Keeping from Idols

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 5:14-21
- John 15:7
- Philippians 4:6

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 John 5:14, what is the condition for God hearing our prayers? How does this relate to the confidence we can have in prayer? [00:52]
In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe how some people treat prayer, and how does this contrast with the confidence John encourages? [01:37]
What does John 15:7 say about the relationship between abiding in Christ and the effectiveness of our prayers? How does this relate to aligning our desires with God's will? [07:48]
How does the sermon describe the role of intercession when we see a brother or sister in sin, according to 1 John 5:16? [15:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean to ask "according to His will," and how can believers discern God's will in their prayers? Consider the sermon’s explanation of aligning our desires with God's desires. [06:00]
How does the concept of abiding in Christ, as mentioned in John 15:7, transform our prayer life and desires? What does this abiding look like in practical terms? [08:34]
The sermon mentions that praying for others, especially those in sin, is an act of love. How does this perspective change the way we approach prayer for others? [18:21]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of idolatry, and how can it subtly affect our relationship with God? How does this relate to the closing warning in 1 John 5:21? [36:35]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there areas where you feel you lack confidence in prayer? What steps can you take to align your desires more closely with God's will? [01:37]
Think about a specific situation or person you have been praying for. How can you ensure that your prayers are aligned with God's will, and what scriptural promises can you claim in your prayers? [13:11]
Consider someone in your life who may be struggling with sin. How can you demonstrate love through intercessory prayer for them this week? What specific prayers can you offer for their restoration? [17:54]
The sermon warns against creating a false image of God in our minds. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is based on Scripture rather than personal preferences or cultural influences? [36:35]
Reflect on the protection we have in Christ as described in 1 John 5:18-19. How does this assurance impact your daily life and spiritual battles? Are there specific fears or anxieties you need to surrender to God? [29:24]
How can you cultivate a habit of abiding in Christ and allowing His words to abide in you? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him this week? [08:34]
Identify any potential idols in your life, whether they are tangible or mental constructs. What actions can you take to remove these idols and focus your worship on the true God as revealed in Scripture? [36:35]

Sermon Clips

Now this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us and we know that if he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him. [00:00:52]

Prayer is just like uh taking some coins and throwing them into a wishing well or a fountain or making a wish and blowing out the candles on the birthday cake I mean we want it and there's a desire for it there but there's really not a confident anticipation that yes God in heaven hears me and he wants to answer this prayer. [00:01:53]

Ask many times we don't ask in prayer James said in his letter you have not because you ask not and many times we don't ask we do everything but ask you know I you get together with other people in prayer and sometimes you notice this even more strongly you know there's the thing in prayer especially in a prayer meeting where there's not so much asking as it is the informational prayer. [00:03:22]

The real Secret in prayer is to approach prayer not as a means to get what I want done but prayer is a means by which we can accomplish God's will in our lives and in circumstances surrounding us do you see the difference it's not as if when I pray I'm there with my own agenda and I'm trying to persuade God to approve of my agenda. [00:05:44]

If you abide in me and my words abide in you you will ask for what you desire and it shall be done for you now think about that for a moment that's pretty amazing promise isn't it anything you desire God will give it to you ask whatever you desire and God will give it to you that's an amazing promise. [00:07:48]

When we're asking according to God's will when we're praying the promises of God we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him we know it with a real and definite Faith so friends when you're praying on your own when you're praying in a group ask either mentally or vocally what possible reason do I have to believe that what I'm asking for is God's will. [00:13:29]

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death he will ask and he will give him life for those who commits sin not leading to death there is sin leading to death I do not say that he should pray about that all unrighteousness is sin and there is sin not leading to death. [00:15:28]

When you see a brother or sister who's in sin it's really the first thing we should do isn't it but so often it's the last thing we do John doesn't say that when you see a brother or sister in sin go up and get in their face and tell them what a sinner they are that's not the first thing you should do. [00:16:09]

If a man is overtaken and in trespass you who are spiritual should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness well that's the first step in this restoration is to pray for that brother is to pray for that sister and God says he'll answer such a prayer do you see that in verse 16 he will ask and he will give him Life. [00:17:35]

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin but he who has been born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him we know that we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one you know in the first several verses that we considered here this morning John's been talking about our confidence in prayer. [00:26:04]

If you're born of God Satan can't attach himself to you oh he can Pastor you he can deceive you he can tempt you he can in that sense provide a lot of Torment in your life really as much as you'll let him bring but friends he cannot attach himself to you because you're born of God you're a different person you're born again by the spirit of God. [00:29:24]

It's very easy for us to Fashion our own kind of God now you'd never do it you'd never go and start carving a little statue and making a piece of wood and painting it then burning a candle for it a little alar at your house you'd never do that but maybe you're chipping away and carving a little statue in your mind. [00:35:31]

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Confidence in Prayer: Aligning with God's Will

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Desires with God's Will

Day 2: The Importance of Asking

Day 3: Interceding for Others

Day 4: Security in Christ

Day 5: Guarding Against Idolatry

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Confidence in Prayer: Aligning with God's Will

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