My 2 and 4-year-old nephew and niece are some of the most special people to me. They are funny, sweet, and so much fun. Mark my words; when they talk to me, they have my undivided attention. Even more, I am delighted when my nephew tells me stories or when my niece asks me for something. In other words, when they talk to me, I do not just hear them; I am moved. If I, an imperfect human being, am moved when my precious niece and nephew talk to me, how much more is God, our perfect Heavenly Father, moved when we talk or pray to Him?
We learn in 1 John 5 that we can be confident that God hears us when we pray. “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him,” John writes (verse 14). We do not have to wonder whether God is listening to us; we can be confident. After all, because He is our Heavenly Father who loves us and cares about us, it stands to reason that our prayers move Him.
Maybe today, you are wondering if God hears you when you pray. Perhaps you have found yourself wondering if your prayers matter to Him. I assure you that God does listen to you and that He cares. From the smallest request to the seemingly insignificant story, He is moved to hear from you every time that you pray. God delights in hearing from you. Will you pray to Him today, believing that He hears and feels your prayers?
Spend some time talking to God. Tell Him about your day and the things you are concerned with. Ask Him to provide in areas you need His provision. Trust that He is listening to you. As you pray, remember that He cares. Not only does He care, but He is also moved by your prayers to Him.
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
