1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.
I have never known anyone who always gets what they have requested. One could argue that this could actually happen as all things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26). However, if this were true, that would mean that the asker is always in God’s will. While this would be wonderful, it is not possible due to the sin nature of mankind (Gen. 3).
There are many reasons we do not receive petitions. To name a few examples, Mark 11:24 tells us we must believe we will receive what we ask for. Some of us simply do not believe. Why ask if we do not believe? According to James 4:3, false motives are another reason our requests are never granted. In John 15:7 (NKJV), Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” This verse is conditional. It requires that we, the asker, walk with Jesus. Some never attend church, never read their Word, or rarely pray. They then find themselves disappointed, perhaps upset with God, because they did not receive their requests.
But, let us assume that we do believe (Mark 11), that our motives are pure (James 4), and that we are walking with Jesus (John 15), and we still have not received our petitions. Is God a liar? Of course not! This can cause frustration; not necessarily with God, but with ourselves and our life circumstances. So, what can bring us peace should we find ourselves in this situation?
The passage from 1 John 5 is very clear. If we ask anything according to His (God’s) will, He hears us. In other words, if our request is not in God’s will, He does not hear us. This passage continues that if He (God) does hear us, which means our request was in His will, then we will know with confidence that we will receive our requests from Him.
What is the key to this passage? I would suggest that it is God’s will. Does our will match His? Do our desires match His? Does our timing match His? We should always be cognizant of the idea that we may not receive what we ask for because of our own behavior patterns which we are in complete control over. At the same time, let us be encouraged that if we delight in the LORD, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4), and He will do so in His perfect time (Ecc. 3:11) and in His perfect way (Isa. 55:8).
Copyright 2025 Michael Callahan Ministries, LLC
“You Have not because you ask not”.
Sometimes our asks is God’s will. But he may have other plans for us. Many times I have found that God’s answer is far better than I could have imagined.
You are correct, Kim. Certainly the Creator of all things seen and unseen knows what is best for us.
Sometimes the not yet answer may appear as though He did not hear. I agree His answer can be know to give so much more. Yet even if it is a no, it is an answer.
Amen Kim! The more we spend time with God the deeper our relationship becomes and we get more aligned with him.
To trust that God’s will is bigger and better than ours is coming to a knowledge of peace and Gods sovereignty. However it’s hard for the Christian to accept that there is a better way than what we could be praying for. Trust – God will, Gods way is better than ours.
His will, in HIS TIME!!!