Pastor Stephen Dedman

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
‭‭I John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬

Prayer is a powerful gift that God has given to His children. It’s a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe. The apostle John invites us into a deeper understanding of prayer, emphasizing the confidence we can have in approaching God with our requests.

Our confidence in prayer lies in our relationship with God. As His children, we have the assurance that He hears us when we pray. Our Heavenly Father hears the hearts of His children and He delights in meeting our needs according to His perfect will.

However, John specifies a crucial condition for our prayers to be answered: they must be according to God’s will. This does not mean that we cannot ask for our desires or needs, but rather that our requests should align with God’s purposes and His character. When our prayers are in harmony with His will, we can have confidence that He will answer them according to His wisdom and goodness.

As you approach God in prayer, know that He hears you and delights in answering according to His will. Seek to align your heart with His purposes, trusting in His wisdom. And rest in the assurance that our Heavenly Father always desires what is best for His children.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer and the assurance that You hear my heart. Help me to align my heart with Your will. Help me approach You with confidence, knowing that You always desire what is best for me, and You are faithful to fulfill Your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.

So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬

In the book of Acts, we find a profound truth that should bring comfort and assurance to our hearts: God’s perfect plan has always been in motion. Acts 15:18 reminds us that God has known all His works from eternity. This means that every event, every twist and turn in our lives, and the entire course of human history are within His divine knowledge and control.

Often, we may question why certain things happen, or we may struggle with uncertainty about the future. In these moments, Acts 15:18 serves as a reminder that God’s understanding is far beyond our own. He has seen all things in existence from beginning to end, and every part, no matter how seemingly insignificant, plays a part in His masterful design.

As we reflect on this verse, it’s an invitation to trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Even when we cannot comprehend the reasons behind our circumstances, we can rest assured that God’s plan is unfolding perfectly. Our role is to have faith, to seek His guidance, and to align our lives with His purposes.

So, take a moment to pray and surrender your worries, doubts, and uncertainties to the One who knows the end from the beginning. Trust that God’s plan is far greater than anything we can fathom, and His ways are always perfect. May this truth bring you peace and confidence in your journey of faith.

Pray

Lord, in times of uncertainty and when I cannot see the full picture, help me to trust in Your sovereignty. I surrender my worries and doubts to You, knowing that You know all things from eternity. Thank you for being a God who holds the future and for loving me unconditionally. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬

Have you ever felt invisible? Like no one truly sees or understands you? Or perhaps, at times, you’ve wished you could hide from the mistakes of your past? Hebrews 4:13 reminds us of a sobering yet comforting truth: God sees everything.

Nothing is hidden from His sight, our actions, thoughts, and even the deepest intentions of our hearts are fully known to Him. At first, this might seem intimidating. We will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. But this truth should also bring us peace.

God’s complete knowledge of us means He sees our struggles, our pain, and our efforts to follow Him, even when no one else does. He knows our weaknesses, yet He still loves us. He sees our failures, yet He offers grace. Instead of running from His all-seeing presence, we should draw near to Him in humility, knowing that His gaze is not one of condemnation but of love and redemption.

Pray

Lord, I thank You that nothing is hidden from Your sight. You know me completely, yet You love me fully. Help me to walk in honesty before You, embracing Your grace and striving to live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ name, amen.