Thursday, April 26, 2018
1 John 3:22-23 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
CONFIDENCE IN OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH-LIFE, OR ... DEALING WITH DEPRESSION (3)
John, the apostle of love, encourages his readers to a confident prayer-life, saying: "…Whatever we ask we receive from Him…" On a number of occasions Jesus told His disciples: "…And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…" (John 14:13).
What wonderful promises! We can ask anything of someone who loves us, knowing that person will do what is best for us. All the more so for the Christian believer! "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us…" (1 John 4:18f).
The child of God need not fear speaking freely and confidently with the One who loves Him--His Heavenly Father through faith in Jesus. This doesn't mean we will literally receive anything and everything we ask for. In fact, according to our new nature, we know there are limitations. We know above all that God will not give us anything that is not good for us.
The main point regarding this encouragement to prayer is that the Savior-God's great love for poor sinners is unconditional, so that, as Luther says in the introduction to the Petitions [Our Father who art in heaven…]: "God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that we may with all boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children ask their dear father."
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear--
All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged -- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness -- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
(Lutheran Service Book, 770:1-2)
