and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
Christ emboldens us to petition God in all circumstances; through Him our supplications are admitted and accepted. Know that your petition is heard, and you know already that you have received what you desired. This assurance, grounded in the will of God, is as good as the answer itself.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 John 5:14-17
Not one prayer offered in faith according to His will is lost. We possess these petitions as present possessions, and like Hannah and Jehoshaphat, we can rejoice over them as granted even before the event comes to pass, recognizing it then as obtained by our prayers, not by chance.
AI summary
The specific thing prayed for may be delayed or different from what we request, but God's faithfulness ensures a real answer will come in the way best suited to our good. The delay itself serves purposes: testing faith, working miracles in their season, or preparing our own condition to receive the blessing.
AI summary