Confidently Ask

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)

Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before Him, for if we ask anything agreeable to His will, He will hear us. – (1 John 5:14, TPT)

Because of Jesus and His sacrifice that covers our sin, we can boldly come before God with our prayers and petitions. He sees and He hears and will move on our behalf when we ask things that are according to His will. His answers may look different than we would imagine, but He hears and provides an outcome that ultimately is for good. May we ever trust the Lord and seek Him with our every prayer, for He hears and cares when we come to Him with love as our motivation for all that we ask.

With great confidence,

Go to the Lord’s throne;

He hears what we ask,

As His grace is shown.

He tells us to ask,

For in love, He’ll hear;

Each faithful request,

As He remains near.

Near us with goodness,

Closeby with His grace;

With love, He surrounds,

Let us seek His face.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can be confident in the sacrifice of Your Son that covers us and provides the way for us to confidently and boldly come before You, and trust that You hear what we ask as our hearts align with Yours. Forgive us for the times that we have not asked, or have not trusted that You hear us when we do not see the answers we hope for or evidence that You are moving on our behalf. Show us how to trust in Your goodness and love, even when we do not see what we hope for. Lead us to love others as You love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we confidently seek You and trust in Your unfailing love to hear us and hold us. Amen.

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

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Matthew 7:8

Acknowledge the Goodness

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. – (Psalm 69:16, NIV) 

Answer me, Lord, from the goodness of Your faithful love. Out of Your great kindness turn to me and help. – (Psalm 69:16, ERV) 

O Eternal One, hear me. Answer me. For Your enduring love is good comfort; in Your great mercy, turn toward me. – (Psalm 69:16, VOICE) 

 

This particular verse follows several verses of David airing his grievances for all that is going on around him. After voicing his frustrations and fears, he arrives at this verse, where he speaks out the goodness of God’s love, and the faithfulness found in His mercy. For me, this is a great reminder to acknowledge the goodness of God when we pray. Of course, we are meant to present our prayers and petitions before Him, but we ought to also recognize His authority over all that lies before us, and praise Him for who He is. I know that I thank Him, but I am reminded to be specific in speaking out the attributes of God, who is my help and my hope. No matter what comes against us, His love never fails. May we look to the Lord with hearts full of praise, and give Him credit for His faithful, loving ways. 

 

O Lord, You are near,

You hear what we pray; 

Your goodness and grace, 

New every day. 

As we come to You, 

May we praise anew; 

You for who You are, 

And all that You do. 

Help us in trouble, 

Be our strength and grace; 

With all that we are, 

Let our lives bring praise. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the goodness of Your faithful love that helps us in our need and grants us hope and peace in the midst of all that we face. Forgive us for presenting our need without giving You praise. Teach us to see the majesty in who You are and how You love. Show us how to love others in the same way. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we present both our requests and our praise unto You, for all of our days.

 

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

 

I will proclaim the Name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! – Deuteronomy 32:3