Afia sat on her balcony, watching the sunset with a cup of tea in her hands. She had been praying for months about her dream of starting her own business. But the answers didn’t seem to come. She often wondered, Is God even hearing me? Am I praying the right way?
That evening, she opened her Bible for comfort and guidance. Her reading plan took her to 1 John 5:14:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
The verse stopped Afia in her tracks. Confidence in approaching God? she thought. She realized that her prayers had been filled with doubt, questioning whether God would answer or if He even cared. But this verse reminded her that prayer wasn’t just about asking, it was about aligning her heart with God’s will and trusting in His perfect plan.
As Afia reflected on the verse, two key truths began to stand out:
- God Invites Us to Pray Boldly
The phrase “this is the confidence we have in approaching God” reminded Afia that prayer is a privilege. Through Jesus, she had direct access to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). She didn’t need to be timid or uncertain, she could come to Him with boldness, knowing that He welcomed her prayers. - God Hears Prayers Aligned with His Will
The second part of the verse, “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us,” taught Afia that God’s answers to prayer weren’t about getting everything she wanted. Instead, it was about trusting that His will was better than her own. Afia realized that her prayers needed to shift from “God, give me what I want” to “God, let Your will be done.”
That night, Afia prayed differently. She laid her plans before God and said, “Lord, I trust You. If starting this business is Your will for me, open the doors. But if You have something else in mind, help me to follow where You lead. I just want to walk in Your plan.”
Over the next few weeks, Afia experienced a change in her heart and circumstances:
- Peace in Surrender
As Afia focused on praying for God’s will, she felt a deep sense of peace. She wasn’t stressed about the outcome anymore because she trusted that God would lead her in the right direction. - Unexpected Opportunities
Afia started noticing doors opening in unexpected places. A friend introduced her to a mentor who had experience in starting businesses, and another friend offered to help her with a website for free. She realized that God was working behind the scenes in ways she couldn’t have orchestrated herself. - A New Perspective
Even as she pursued her dream, Afia found herself praying less about the success of her business and more about how she could use it to glorify God. Her prayers became less self-focused and more centered on His kingdom.
1 John 5:14 reminds us that prayer is not about forcing our will on God but about aligning our hearts with His will.
- We can approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears us when we pray.
- We can trust God’s will, recognizing that His plans are always for our good and His glory.
When we surrender our desires to Him, we find peace in knowing that He is in control.
May you approach God in prayer with boldness and confidence, knowing that He hears you. May you find peace in surrendering your will to His perfect plan, trusting that His answers are always for your good. As you align your heart with His will, may you experience the joy of walking in His purpose for your life.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer. Help me to trust in Your will and to align my heart with Your purpose. Give me the confidence to approach You boldly and the faith to trust in Your answers. Thank You for always hearing me and for working all things for my good. In Jesus Name, Amen.
May you find peace and joy in the confidence of God’s loving and perfect plan!
