The First Epistle of John

Praying with Confidence and Compassion

1 John 5:14-17

Introduction

• John encouraged us to have confidence in our eternal life

• If we do have such confidence in our future– Then we can have confidence in

something else right now: our prayers– He also ties his theme of loving one

another into thems of confidence and prayer

Praying with Confidence• 1 Jn 5:14-15– Requires praying according to God’s

will• Not a “blank check”

• Even for Jesus – Mt 26:39, 42

– Requires keeping His commandments• 1 John 3:22-23

– Requires abiding in Jesus• John 15:7

• How do we know if we abide in Jesus?– 1 Jn 3:24

Praying with Confidence• 1 Jn 5:14-15– If we meet the requirements• Then we know He hears us

– If we know He has heard us• Then we know we got what we

requested

• That is, that God will do what is best in accordance with His will

Praying with Compassion

• 1 Jn 5:16-17– Praying for a brother– 1 Jn 3:16-17• We ought to love our brethren

• We ought to be willing to die for them

• We ought to supply their needs

– Only logical that we ought to be praying for them as well

Praying with Compassion

• Sinning a sin NOT unto death– All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn 5:17a)– The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23)– So how can their be a “sin not unto

death”?• Ask yourself, are there any sins I have

committed which are not going to lead me to eternal death?–Your answer is probably, “Yes, sins for

which I have been forgiven”– 1 Jn 1:9 – We repent and confess and

God forgives

Praying with Compassion

• Sinning a sin NOT unto death– So if a brother sins• Then he confesses his sins and asks

God’s forgiveness

• Then we can pray for that brother to be forgiven

• A sin unto death– Any sin not repented of–We can’t pray for his forgiveness–We can pray that he’d repent

Praying with Compassion

• And God will give him life– Death is spiritual here, so life is also• That is, “life” is forgiveness of sins

– God wants us to be involved in helping each other to maintain our relationship with God• Yes, God will forgive us if we repent (1

Jn 1:9)

• Sometimes we feel we need others to help us

• God gives us that right and opportunity

Conclusion

• Prayer is a wonderful blessing– If we meet God’s requirements then

• We can be confident it will be heard and answered

– We should remember to pray compassionately• Pray for others

• Pray for those who have sinned and repented– Pray for their forgiveness– Pray for their strength in future temptations