“And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” (1John 3:22 ESV)

I recently visited with a friend I’ve known for many years. He’s a Christian, a churchgoer, and doesn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs, but he recently started living with a woman he’s not married to. I asked him how his relationship is with God, and he said, “It’s all right." I asked, “Do you pray? And he said, "Yes." I said, “What does God say to you about living in sin? Does that ever come up in your conversations with Him?” He looked embarrassed that I had asked him that question. I told him that if you’re ever doing anything you know is sin, that will affect your relationship with God. It will affect your ability to pray effectively. And it will affect your prayers being answered and whether or not you are blessed by Him. It’s sort of like coming face-to-face with someone you owe money to but haven’t paid. It’s awkward and a barrier to the relationship until it’s paid back. And because you owe them, you avoid them. It’s the same with God.

The promise of answered prayers

The passage at the top, our promise for the day, says, “And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” It’s clear that the promise of answered prayers is contingent upon two things: 1) keeping His commandments, and 2) doing what pleases Him. This begs the question: How do you please Him? First, you please Him by obeying His commandments! Begin with the Ten Commandments. And, as you daily read the Bible, seek to understand and obey the commands you see as you come across them.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” (Psalm 119:9-10)

Therefore

“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” (1 Thess. 4:1 ESV)