Topical Encyclopedia In the Christian faith, assurance is a profound confidence and certainty in the promises of God, particularly regarding salvation and His responsiveness to the prayers of His people. This assurance is a privilege granted to the saints, those who are set apart by God and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. One of the key aspects of this assurance is the belief that God hears and answers the prayers of His children.Biblical Foundation The assurance of answered prayer is deeply rooted in Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself provides a foundational promise regarding prayer. In the Gospel of John, He states, "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14). This promise underscores the authority and willingness of Christ to respond to the petitions of believers when they are aligned with His will and purpose. Furthermore, the Apostle John reiterates this assurance in his first epistle: "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15). This passage emphasizes the importance of praying in accordance with God's will, which is a key component of the assurance of answered prayer. Conditions for Assurance While the assurance of answered prayer is a privilege, it is not without conditions. The Bible outlines several principles that guide believers in their prayer life: 1. Faith: Faith is a crucial element in prayer. Jesus taught, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). This faith is not merely wishful thinking but a confident trust in God's character and promises. 2. Righteousness: The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. James writes, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail" (James 5:16). Righteousness, in this context, refers to a life aligned with God's standards and a heart that seeks His will. 3. Persistence: Jesus encourages persistence in prayer through the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). This persistence is not about wearing God down but about demonstrating earnestness and dependence on Him. 4. Alignment with God's Will: As noted in 1 John 5:14, prayers must be in accordance with God's will. This requires a heart attuned to God's desires and purposes, seeking His glory above personal gain. Examples of Assured Answers Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of God answering the prayers of His people, reinforcing the assurance that believers can have: · Hannah: In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah's fervent prayer for a child is answered by God, and she gives birth to Samuel, who becomes a significant prophet in Israel. · Elijah: In 1 Kings 18, Elijah's prayer for fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel is answered, demonstrating God's power and affirming Elijah's prophetic ministry. · The Early Church: In Acts 12, the early church prays earnestly for Peter's release from prison, and God miraculously delivers him, showcasing His intervention in response to collective prayer. Encouragement for Believers The assurance of answered prayer is a source of great encouragement for believers. It fosters a deeper relationship with God, as they experience His faithfulness and care in their lives. This assurance also motivates believers to approach God with boldness and confidence, knowing that He is attentive to their needs and desires to act on their behalf. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Nave's Topical Index 1 John 3:22And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Nave's Topical Index 1 John 5:14,15 Library The Properties of Sanctifying Grace Withholding Corn Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace The Evangelical Revival. The Holy War, The Pilgrim's Progress Resources How can I have assurance of my salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is free grace? What is Free Grace Theology? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about hope? | GotQuestions.org Assurance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Assurance is Abundant in the Understanding of the Gospel Assurance is the Effect of Righteousness Assurance: Confident Hope in God Restores Assurance: Give Diligence to Attain To Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have by David Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have by Paul Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have of Their Election Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of a Crown Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of a Glorious Resurrection Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of a Kingdom Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Answers to Prayer Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Comfort in Affliction Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Continuance in Grace Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Eternal Life Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Peace With God by Christ Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Preservation Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Support in Death Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of The Unalienable Love of God Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Their Adoption Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Their Election Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Their Redemption Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Their Salvation Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have, of Union With God and Christ Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: A Crown Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: A Glorious Resurrection Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: A Kingdom Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: A Support in Death Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Answers to Prayer Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Comfort in Affliction Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Confident Hope in God Restores Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Continuance in Grace Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Eternal Life Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Peace With God by Christ Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Preservation Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Saints Give Diligence to Attain Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Strive to Maintain Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: The Unalienable Love of God Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Their Adoption Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Their Redemption Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Their Salvation Assurance: Saints Privileged to Have: Union With God and Christ Related Terms Acknowledgement (3 Occurrences) |
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