1 John 5:14

What Does 1 John 5:14 Mean?

John says we can have “confidence” when we pray. That means we can come to God boldly, not nervously hoping He might be available. The condition is that we ask “according to His will” – meaning we align our requests with what God wants, not just what we want in the moment. When we truly know God and love what He loves, our prayers start to line up with His heart naturally. And when that happens, He not only hears us – He answers!

Hero Challenge

Pick something you want to pray about this week. Before you pray, spend one minute thinking: “Is this something God would want for me? Does it line up with what the Bible says is good?” Then pray it with confidence, knowing God is listening. Keep a note of how God answers over the next few weeks.

Did You Know?

John was one of Jesus’ closest friends, and he wrote this letter toward the end of his very long life. He had spent decades watching prayers get answered in incredible ways – healings, provision, protection. When he wrote about having “confidence” in prayer, he was writing from decades of real experience with a God who genuinely listens and responds. His confidence was earned through a lifetime of relationship with God.

Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question

Does God ever get too busy to listen to you? How does it feel to know that God always has time to hear what you want to say?

Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question

What does it mean to pray “according to God’s will”? How do you find out what God’s will is so you can pray in line with it?

Ages 10-13: Champion Question

John says our confidence in prayer comes from knowing God hears us. How does having a genuine relationship with God – knowing His character and what He cares about – affect the kind of prayers you pray and your confidence that He will answer?