“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
What usually strikes a person first about this verse is that we can ask anything we want. Before we go any further with this, I need to draw your attention to those 4 very important words: “according to his will.” This isn’t a blank check for a million bucks or three more wishes. Once we get that part out of our brains, let’s look at the rest of it. We have confidence in approaching God. Why? Because He hears us. Period. Not sometimes, or even most of the time. He hears every single prayer sent His way. Wow! With a promise like this, what could possibly keep us from going to God with every need in our life?
Is it possible we don’t really believe this verse? We know in our head that God hears us, but do we really believe it with our whole being? Or maybe we think (even unconsciously) that we don’t need God. After all, we’re intelligent, capable individuals, right? I’m not trying to diminish anyone’s self-esteem, but if I think I’m those things, I need a bigger picture of Who God is. I only need to compare myself to our omnipotent, all-powerful God to realize I need Him every minute.
Or maybe we’re afraid He’ll actually answer. You know – “Be careful what you pray for because you just might get it.” If that’s you, just remember that God’s not some cosmic genie that we can control. If we ask for something that God knows is not in our best interest, He overrides our request. He doesn’t give us anything outside His will or outside His plan. Or maybe you think He’s too busy to hear your requests. Just think of all the prayers going up to Him at any one time from all over the world. It’s hard for me to believe that a God who would sacrifice His only Son for me would then be too busy for me.
What’s stopping you from approaching God? Is it one of these reasons or something else? Let’s search our hearts for the reason(s). Then confess any sin of unbelief and turn over to Him any area of doubt. We need to ask Him for a bigger picture of Himself and a truer picture of ourselves. Only then can we approach Him with full confidence.