DIRECTIVE #21
June 3rd, 2014
Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 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.
Interpretation: Is it possible that as we unpack this passage from back to front we can get a clearer picture of how faith works in power in the life a believer? In order to receive the requests we have asked from God, we need to know that He hears us. In order for Him to hear us, we must ask “according to His will”. So, how can we know we are asking according His will? How can we be sure? What if the answer is that God speaks it to us first? The example Jesus gave us was ‘to say what He heard the Father say, and do what He saw the Father do’; meaning that the Father initiated the action and Jesus was simply being obedient to Him. Maybe the key to answered prayer is more linked to obedience than anything else.
If that is the case, maybe the key to answered prayer is listening for what to pray in the first place. Where does faith come from? Answer: Romans 10:17; So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Additional Scripture:
Matthew 21:21-22; And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
1 Samuel 30:8; David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” And He said to him, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all.”
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. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Prayer Points:
- Ask the Father to take you on your own spiritual journey to better hear His voice and be ready to be obedient to His response and directions.
- Ask the Father for His will on a matter and stay on it until you receive an answer.
- Ask the Father for His Word concerning your ministry or area of responsibility, and then pray that Word and declare that Word over the area.
Continually give thanks for His answers.
By Susan and Craig Bagley