I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 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.
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
1 John 5:13-17
Scripture Notes
Our confidence in God should not stem from self-righteousness or arrogance. Instead, it arises from recognizing His supremacy, His love, and His forgiveness. We humbly fall at His feet, aware of our sins. Yet, the same covenants and promises that God made to the people of Israel remain true and reliable. God has promised never to abandon us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8), offering us the gift of eternal life and restoration with our creator. Our prayer should start with this: that God will deliver us from our own destruction and prevent the wicked from succeeding (Psalm 146:9).
But what truly happens? In a world driven by consumerism, our minds tend to ask for material things. We desire and request what can be taken away, rust, or decay. Our requests to God are not meant to be like rubbing a lamp, tossing a coin into a fountain, or something that will disappear at midnight. Prayers are not wishes; they are petitions. God’s power is greater than magic or sorcery, and it is not mere illusion or fantasy. Our prayers should not be presented as a blank check for God to sign, but as a request meant to align with His will.
We are given an opportunity to be in harmony with our Creator, who has given us free will but is also omniscient. According to His will, it does not mean we are not allowed to ask for things, but what we ask for should be beyond minor conveniences, material gain, or anything that leads to our own glory. We should instead be seeking unity with God, intent on giving Him glory and doing good for others. The Lord is seeking a partnership, just like in Genesis. God created the garden but entrusted Man to its care.
One of the important ways we should lift our prayers is for the sake of a fellow believer. Recognizing wrong does not give us the liberty to become condemners and judges. For Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17). So, why should we be allowed to condemn another? Salvation only comes through Christ, and if we see a believer stumble, our prayers should be lifted up for repentance and forgiveness. As believers, we should focus on restoration rather than division, caring about anyone who is being led astray.
But what if someone completely denies God or, worse, claims to be a believer but is hardened to the true message of peace and redemption? Are we not to confront them? Again, we are reminded to pray for eternal life and for the restoration of those around us, but we must also uplift the lives of those who reject God’s word. We lack the power of persuasion to change someone—only the Spirit can work on people’s hearts and minds. However, for the believer, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1-2). We should not become self-righteous because of our redemption; instead, we should grieve for those who have forsaken their Maker and either believe they no longer need God or think themselves to be a god.
Living out one’s faith is more than just checking off religious actions. Faith is a state of being—a completely transformed heart and a willingness to live a life of humility and sacrifice. We are not meant to live in shame and disgrace (2 Timothy 2:14-16). Instead, we are followers of the almighty God who is above all things (Ephesians 4:4-6), and of Christ, who has overcome the world (John 16:33); we are blessed with the Spirit, who intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). Our faith should bring us confidence, joy, and peace. Whatever this world strives to achieve for man’s sake is insignificant compared to the promise and covenant we have in God.
MEMORY VERse
Lillian Richter Reynolds. Prays’ Meetin’, 1935-1943. The New York Public Library
Related Verses
More verses about confidence in Christ:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- In what ways can you better align your requests with God’s will?
- How can you discern what sins are those that “do not lead to death” and those that are persistent in their repudiation? How can you better pray for those who are struggling but have not entirely rejected the Word?
- In what ways can you ensure that your faith is well practiced and not just intellectual, emotional, or performative?
- What are some ways you can guard yourself from the lure of over-exalting people and things in our modern society? Is there something or someone you have elevated above Christ, causing you to be more devoted to flesh and blood rather than the Spirit?
MANÁ 
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