Prayer’s Conditions

“If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14 NIV.

Prayer is a holy discourse, not a monologue.

My thoughts and comments today are about “prayer’s conditions.”

All of us possess a capacity to complicate simple things – things like love, joy, contentment, marriage, loyalty, family, worship, integrity, and such like. Prayer is one of those simple things – nothing more complex than honest, heartfelt communication between yourself and God. Prayer is a sacred privilege but often the last thing we choose to do. Anyone can pray, young and old, saints and sinners alike. Prayer is first communion then communication – sacred communion of your heart with God’s heart, then prayer affords honest communication of your love, thankfulness, and finally your needs. Start with the first, not the last.

Prayer is not without Biblical conditions. There are reasonable factors to answered prayer. “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22. Inadequate marriage and family relationships diminish prayer, “. . so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” Read 1 Peter 3:1-8 NIV. An angry and doubting spirit impacts prayer, “Men (should) pray everywhere, without wrath and doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8. Ungodly behavior interferes with prayer, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to the prayer (of the righteous), but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NIV.

Prayer’s conditions are not whimsical; they are clear and fair. John shared the first and most obvious condition. ”If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us . . [and] we know that we have what we asked of Him.” Read 1 John 5:14-15 NIV. God will always answer in concert with His Word and will.

The eternal will of God is faithfully revealed in His Word. Be a student of God’s Word; be a servant to His will. And the Holy Spirit will prompt your heart, spirit, and understanding with the personal application of truth for your immediate circumstance. Prayer is a holy discourse, not a monologue. As you are devoted to the study of God’s Word and diligent in prayer, it is as important that you attentively listen for God in your heart as it is that God actively listens to you.

Prayer is an impassioned invitation for God’s involvement – His grace, peace, presence, provision, favor, wisdom, and direction in your everyday life. That is much more than mere information of your needs and wants, of which He is already aware. Read Matthew 6:8 NLT. When you don’t get the desired response, you might assume God has not heard you, though He has. God would not ignore you, but maybe He is waiting for you to trust His will and way, and pray accordingly. If God seems silent, don’t lose heart. The problem is never that He hasn’t heard your prayers. Pray a prayer God will answer.

Today, in prayer for you, “that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.“ Colossians 4:12 NIV.