Confidence In Faith And Prayer

Introduction

Have you ever felt like your prayers weren’t working? So did Lisa. She’d had two children, but it had been 4 years, and the doctors couldn’t help her conceive. During that time her prayers had slipped from daring demands to mumbled requests. Finally she asked her friend if she should stop praying. Her friend wisely told her, “Always, always pray. But be ready for any answer.” So Lisa began again, praying earnestly for another child. As she prayed and sought the Lord’s face, she realized He was working a strange thing in her. She no longer demanded that He give her a child. Now she was asking Him to accomplish His will in her life and for her family, though she still desired another child. There was a confident peace in leaving the results to Him. After several more months, Lisa and her husband were scheduled to see their fertility specialist for a final visit. After this they were planning to move on in life concluding that God had said no to another child. She took a routine pregnancy test the night before the appointment to confirm with her doctor that she was not pregnant. But when she looked down to confirm, she saw two clear, pink lines! She was pregnant! At the last minute, God had answered her prayer, “Yes.” When we learn to pray that God’s will is done, we can have confidence that He will answer our prayer “Yes.” Sometimes that will mean granting our desire, sometimes that will mean delaying or changing our desire, and sometimes it will mean doing His will even though it is different than ours. But according to 1 John 5:12-15 we can have confidence that He will always do His will. Are you ready to learn more about this effective kind of prayer?

Observation

Pray

Pray with confidence knowing that it is God’s desire to help you understand His Word. Ask Him to convince you of Your sin, His righteousness, and true judgment.

Read Focus Verses

Today’s verses can be divided into two sections, but both hang on the same theme. Can you find the main theme and both sub-themes as you read 1 John 5:12-15?

Main Theme

What is the main theme that ties all four of these verses together?

Sub-Theme 1

What is the main thing verses 12-13 talk about in relation to confidence?

Sub-Theme 2

What is the main things verses 14-15 talk about having confidence in?

The Prayer He Answers

How does verse 14 describe the kind of prayer God hears?

Intended Recipients

According to verse 13, what is a characteristic of the people this book was first addressed to?

Who Has Life

In verse 12 what are we told differentiates between those who do and those who do not have life?

What Kind of Life?

According to verse 13, what kind of life do those who have the Son of God possess?

Interpretation

Receiving the Son

As you just saw, verses 12-13 say that those who have the Son of God have eternal life through Jesus. John 3:36 speaks of the same thing and gives further insight into how to receive the Son of God.

Obtaining Eternal Life

According to John 3:36, how does one gain eternal life?

A Helpful Comparison

By comparing the two passages, you see more clearly what each means. In 1 John 4:12, you found that only those who have the Son of God have eternal life. In John 3:36, you saw that those who believe on the Son of God have eternal life. Using the comparison between these two verses, state in your own words how one receives the Son of God and eternal life through Him.

Why was the book written

Our passage tells us why the book of 1 John was written. What is the two part purpose of this book given in verse 13?

Another Reason for Writing

We are told another of the purposes for 1 John in 1:4.

Why?

Why does 1 John 1:4 tell us the book was written?

A Third Reason

1 John 2:1 gives us the other reason the book was written.

These Things I Write…

What reason does 1 John 2:1 give for the writing of this book?

In the Marketplace

So, if someone were to ask you at some point, "Why did God include 1 John in the Bible?" What three purposes for 1 John could you share with them?

Ask

Ask might seem like a very simple word, but have you thought about what it means recently? It appears twice in today’s passage. Let’s take a moment and consider it more carefully.

According to His Will

Verses 14-15 tells us that when we pray according to God’s will, He will hear and answer our prayer. How can we learn what God’s will is so that we can pray according to His will?

Application

Believing with Confidence

Do you believe everything God has revealed to us in His Word about His Son? If so, do you have confidence that you have eternal life? If the answer to either of these questions is not a whole-hearted ‘Yes!’, 1 John is the book for you. Read, study, and pray it.

Praying with Confidence

When you pray, do you pray for God’s will to be done? If so, do you have confidence that He hears you and will accomplish His will in your life and the world around you? How should this wonderful reality change the way you pray today?

Praying God’s Will

What are some things you know are God’s will which you can begin praying for yourself and others today?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you gain confidence in faith and prayer.

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