“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 NIV)

Boldly and confidently!

We can come confidently to God in prayer when we are asking for things according to His will. How do you know if you are asking for things that are according to His will? You read His Word, find out what it says, and then you get in agreement with what it says! It’s as simple as that.

Discerning the will of God

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Ask God who gives generously!

If you are ever in doubt, talk to God about it (that’s what prayer is). And, you can ask Him to give you wisdom about any situation. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all.” (James 1:5)

Therefore…

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13:20:21 ESV)

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“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

This passage is all about asking, seeking and knocking, and God’s response which is, “He shall” answer to the affirmative. In fact, it is a simple acrostics formula around the three-letter word ASK:

A – ask “and it shall be given”

S – seek “and you shall find”

K – knock “and it it shall be opened”

Yes! This means you! 

Notice that this promise is for “everyone,” and that certainly includes you! And understand that the primary reason believers fail to receive from God is simply this, they fail to ASK! 

Therefore…

“You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2b)

So ASK!

Quotes:

“No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have prayed earnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for. God sometimes delays, but He always comes.” - Martin Luther

“Prayer is the most powerful resource we have in this life; yet, many only turn to it as a last resort. When unbelievers pray for repentance of sin and ask for God’s forgiveness, prayer is the spiritual dynamite that obliterates the darkness and despair of a sin-soaked soul.” - Franklin Graham

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“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” (1 Chron. 4:10 NIV)

This short, heartfelt prayer by an old testament man named Jabez, was answered positively by God.

Why God granted what Jabez was asking

First, he asked God! That’s right, he actually brought his request to God in prayer! Sadly, many don’t receive blessings from God simply because they don’t bother to ask Him! “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2 KJV) In order to receive from God, you must actually ask him!

Second, he “cried out to God” passionately. His prayer was sincere, heartfelt and genuine! God’s word says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV). The wonderful advantage we have as New Testament believers, is we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus!

Third, he was very specific and clear about what he wanted and asked God for. Because he asked clearly and specifically, God could answer clearly and specifically as well.  Unfortunately, many don’t ask that way. The Bible says, “Let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6b NKJV).

To recap (with one addition)

1) Pray!

2) Be genuine, passionate and sincere.

3) Be specific. Make it very clear what you are asking for.

4) Use Jesus’s Name. As New Testament followers of Jesus Christ who have been given the right to come “boldly to God.” (Heb 4:16), you must pray in Jesus’s Name! That seals it! And, that is another great promise you can thank God for!

Therefore…

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark. 11:24 ESV)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4.6 ESV)

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26 ESV)

“Pray without ceasing,” (1 Thess. 5:17 ESV)

Quotes:

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 11:9 ESV)

“Prayer honors God, acknowledges His being, exalts His power, adores His providence, secures His aid.” - E.M. Bounds

“There is no need to get to a place of prayer; pray wherever you are.” - Oswald Chambers

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“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10 ESV) 

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:16 ESV)

 What to do:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5)

 Understanding God’s will 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

 Quote:

“In prayer we can approach God with complete assurance of His ability to answer us. There is no limit to what we can ask, if it is according to His will.” - John F. Walvoord

“If God doesn't want something for me, I shouldn't want it either. Spending time in meditative prayer, getting to know God, helps align my desires with God's.” - Philip Yancey

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

Prayer is powerful and effective

The above passage commands, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” which we must do. The Bible says “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16), and that we should “approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

 Jesus, our savior, spent much time praying fervently and passionately (Heb. 5:7, Luke 3:21, Matt. 14:23). 

 Jesus taught us how to pray 

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:9-13 KJV)

Therefore…

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16 ESV)

 Quotes:

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.” - John Bunyan

“Always respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this always obey such an impulse.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Today’s Promise to Memorize* 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

Additional References

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 ESV)

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 ESV)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV)

A Reminder

*Over the next few days I am posting Bible promises every believer MUST know (and commit to memory) to be fully equipped no matter what they are faced with. Meditate on them and memorize them. 

 Proven ways to help memorize:

1.     Hand write it on 3x5 card.

2.     Always include the Bible reference at the beginning and repeat it again at the end. 

3.     Read it through several times and think about what it means (mediate on it). 

4.     Say it out loud a few times.  

5.     Refer to it throughout the day and say it to yourself (a few words at a time if necessary) until you can say it correctly without looking. 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

Prayer is powerful 

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16 ESV)

Ask in His Name with faith

 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 ESV)

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 ESV)

 Pray about everything 

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7 ESV)

 God will help you pray correctly 

 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Therefore…

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7 ESV)

“Pray without ceasing,” (1 Thess 5:17 ESV)