Lesson 24: 1 John 5:14-15
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,
if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he
hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired
of him.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 7:7-11
Matthew 18:19-20 (Jesus is speaking here.)
Matthew 21:21-22
Romans 8:26-27
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Paul is speaking. The word “thrice” means three times.)
James 4:1-3
James 5:14-16
1 Peter 3:7
Background Information
As you can see in this lesson, God promises to answer our prayers. He also keeps the right to not give us that which He knows isn’t good. One of the challenges of the Christian life is to trust God when He doesn’t do things our way. If we really believe in the loving, yet sovereign, God of the Bible, we have to trust Him in like this. While this lesson examines some of the factors at work when God answers a request with a, “No,” it is important to remember that He still hears every prayer and that we need to pray with the confidence that He hears us and can be expected to give us what we ask.
Questions
1. In 1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 18:19-20, and Matthew 21:21-22; God promises to answer our prayers. What condition is given for this to be true in 1 John 5:14-15?
2. What condition is given in Matthew 21:21-22 for us to receive what we ask for from God?
3. From 2 Corinthians 12, we see that not even the Apostle Paul got everything he prayed for. How does this relate to the condition in 1 John 5:14?
4. a) According to James 4:1-3, why do some people ask and not receive? b) Will God ever help us sin?
5. a) According to 1 Peter 3:7, what can harm our prayer life? b) How might this relate to Matthew 18:19-20?
6. Would somebody who was walking closely with God ask for something sinful?
7. Can God lead us to know what He wants so we can ask in line with His will?
8. Consider Romans 8:26-27. a) Who helps us when we can’t pray adequately? b) Does He always know the will of God?
9. Think about Matthew 7:7-11. a) Would God give us something bad just because we asked? b) If we asked God for something good, would He give us something bad in its place?
10. a) Can you trust in God and His love enough to believe that He won’t answer your prayers in a way that is bad for you? b) Even if it means not getting what you pray for?
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