To Confidently Ask

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, NIV)

We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. – (1 John 5:14, ERV)

We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. – (1 John 5:14, VOICE)

God is not a genie that grants wishes. He is the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is, and we can call on Him to be our help, hope, and strength throughout all of our days. He is our Provider and the One who loves us beyond what we can comprehend. If our requests before God are fueled by our love for Him and our love for others, we can confidently seek Him and know that He hears. However, if we are asking things out of revenge or selfish ambition, we can be thankful that God does not listen. God cannot be manipulated nor coerced into doing something that is not in His nature. He loves deeply, yet always wants what is best for us, even when we cannot see it. Sometimes, God’s biggest blessings come to us through seemingly unanswered prayers. He knows what the outcome would be if things went a different route than they have. The more we trust, the more we recognize that God is faithful, even when we cannot see what He is doing. Our charge is to keep seeking and trusting, and place all things in His hands. May we ever walk out our days in bold confidence, knowing that God hears us when we ask of Him, things according to His good and perfect will.

Confidently come,

before the Lord God;

for He hears our heart,

in love, He responds.

When our ask is good,

fueled by His love;

we can trust He hears,

listens from above.

For God knows what’s best,

when we cannot see;

He knows each outcome,

moves accordingly.

Sometimes the silence,

is just a not yet;

or redirection,

that His grace has set.

In everything,

for now and always;

seek the Lord in trust,

to walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and that You hear our every prayer. Thank You that You move according to what is good and what is best for us. Forgive us for our lack of faith when we cannot see how You are moving. Lead us to listen and learn as we navigate each day, for You are faithful and worthy of our trust. Show us how to love and pray for those around us in ways that align with Your will. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for Your goodness and grace in both the answered and unanswered prayers we have prayed. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 17:6

Ask Accordingly

Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – (1 John 5:14, HCSB)

We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. – (1 John 5:14, ERV)

We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. – (1 John 5:14, VOICE)

I appreciate that there are qualifiers to being heard when we ask. Jesus is not our fairy godmother nor some genie in a lamp. The same God who created the entire universe and all its inhabitants, is near enough to hear our prayers. He hears us as we ask according to His will, not our own. Often, our biggest blessings are seemingly unanswered prayers, as His plan is so much better. We think we know what we want and need, but God knows beyond our immediate circumstances. He sees the entire outcome and longs to bless, strengthen and guide us for all of our days, not just the days that we realize our need for His help. If things are good, we ought to praise Him. When things are challenging, we are meant to ask for His help, guidance and strength. God is faithful to hear us, and is loving and kind in how He answers. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways, higher than our own. May we ever seek the Lord with confidence, as we ask according to His good and perfect will.

Let’s ask of the Lord,

Sweet Tali girl asking to play. ❤

What is right and true;

Aligned with His will,

For in Him, things move.

When we ask the Lord,

To come in and change;

We must allow Him,

Full and complete reign.

This means we listen,

And choose to obey;

That which He asks us,

Do all things His way.

It isn’t easy,

But always it’s best;

He give what we need,

Be it strength or rest.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You and pray to You, and You hear our prayers. Thank You that You answer according to Your good and perfect will, not our whims or wish lists. Thank You that Your ways are always best, even when we cannot begin to understand how. Forgive us for the times that we have sought You with wishes instead of heartfelt prayers. Teach us to invest time in Your word and in prayer so that we know Your voice and understand how to ask according to Your will rather than our own. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and kindness tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and ask of You according to Your will. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7