Learning to Pray With Confidence – Daily Devotional

Summary

In this devotional, the focus is on the power of prayer and the confidence believers should have when communicating with God. The scripture from 1 John 5:14-15 reminds us that God hears our prayers when they align with His will. As members of God's family, we can trust that He listens to us. The importance of submitting our spirit to God, studying the scriptures, and depending on the Holy Spirit is emphasized to ensure our prayers align with God's purposes. Ultimately, God desires to answer the prayers of His children in accordance with His will.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prayer is the most powerful means for Christians to affect change.
• 😀 Believers can have confidence in prayer because they belong to God's family through trust in Jesus.
• 😀 God hears our prayers because He is our heavenly Father once we place our trust in Jesus.
• 😀 Confidence in prayer comes from asking according to God's will.
• 😀 Certain actions, such as lying, cheating, and actions driven by negative emotions, are never part of God's will.
• 😀 God leaves some matters, like personal preferences (e.g., which colors we wear), to our discretion.
• 😀 In situations where desires fall between good and bad, we must submit our spirit to God to know His will.
• 😀 To know God's will, we must study Scripture, where His general will is revealed through commands and principles.
• 😀 Christians must depend on the Holy Spirit to align their prayers with God's purposes.
• 😀 By submitting to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, believers can pray in agreement with God's will, remembering He desires to say yes to His children.

Q & A

What does the scripture in 1 John 5:14-15 emphasize about prayer?

The scripture emphasizes that if we pray according to God's will, we can be confident that He hears us and that we will receive the requests we make from Him.

Why can believers be confident in their prayers?

Believers can be confident in their prayers because they belong to God's family. When they place their trust in Jesus, they become God's children, and as such, He will listen to their prayers.

What are the two main reasons believers can pray with confidence, according to the devotion?

The two main reasons are: (1) believers belong to God's family through faith in Jesus, and (2) they can pray according to God's will, aligning their prayers with His purposes.

How does God's will relate to prayer?

God's will is crucial for prayer because when we pray in line with His will, we can be sure that our prayers will be heard and answered. The devotion explains that God's will is revealed through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

What are some examples of things that are not part of God's will?

Things like lying, cheating, and actions driven by pride, anger, or jealousy are never part of God's plan.

What kind of decisions are left to our discretion when praying?

Insignificant matters, such as choosing which colors to wear, are left to personal discretion rather than God's will.

What should believers do to align their prayers with God's will?

Believers should submit their spirits to God, study the Scriptures to understand His general will, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their prayers.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in prayer?

The Holy Spirit helps believers align their prayers with God's will by guiding and submitting their hearts to His purposes.

How can believers be sure that God will answer their prayers?

Believers can be sure that God will answer their prayers because, as their Heavenly Father, He wants to say yes to His children, especially when their prayers are in line with His will.

What is the importance of studying the Scriptures in prayer?

Studying the Scriptures is essential because it reveals God's general will and provides commands and principles that help believers align their prayers with His purposes.