Deeper Life #312

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

—1 John 5:14–15

THE MAJORITY OF US MAKE the blunder of depending on our own earnestness in prayer, not on God. But, dear friend, we must not have such confidence in ourselves. Our confidence is in God!

All our fuss, all our earnestness, all our so-called gifts of prayer are not the slightest atom of use to Jesus Christ. He pays no attention to these. Our Lord taught His disciples the pattern of prayer (Luke 11) and emphasized in that prayer the importance of faith and trust.

Moreover, the Lord warns us about wrong motives in praying. Surrender to the will of God is primary to genuine praying. Guard against selfish asking and greedy wants as you pray.

Prayer Thought: Teach me to pray, Lord, as You taught the first disciples.

SUGGESTED READING: 1 John 5:1–15