“Why Pray?”

“Digging Deeper” is an opportunity for you to continue the study of God’s Word throughout the week.

WEDNESDAY
“Why Pray?”

1 John 3:21-22
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.

Is this passage saying that we can ask God for anything and He will give it to us? This seems unlikely based on the context. In this passage, obedience to God’s commands and a willingness to serve God by doing “what pleases Him” are conditions for receiving. In Chapter 5 of this book, he also adds that what we ask for should be in line with His will.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 Jn 5:14–15)

In order to enjoy the power of prayer, we must understand the purpose of prayer. God is not a genie in a bottle. He is an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-good Being who desires to pour out HIS BLESSINGS on His people. Prayer is not our way of getting our will done in Heaven. It is God’s way of getting His will done on Earth.

Consider this illustration by Dr. Tony Evans. “If I put a million dollars in your physical bank account, you are a guaranteed millionaire. But if you don’t know how to write a check, that which is guaranteed cannot be enjoyed. Too many of us who’ve got bank accounts full of God’s blessing are forgetting to sign our checks. We forget to draw from that spiritual reservoir, or we don’t understand how to draw from that spiritual reservoir to live the successful Christian life.”

THOUGHT: Prayer is not our way of getting our will done in Heaven. It is God’s way of getting His will done on Earth.