Without Knocking

“And this is the confidence we have resting on Him, that if we petition anything in agreement with His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

Communication is the key to most important relationships. Most family counselors and books about marriage focus on communication. Knowing how and when to say the important things are crucial to relationship growth. And, giving time to honestly listen to each other is equally essential.

When I was a sales manager in the computer business I often would have a customer in front of me, a call waiting for me on the store system, my cell phone ringing and emails being downloaded for my attention. One or two of my customers even used Instant Messenger (some 10 -12 years ago.) Whether it is a sales representative or our own spouse, we know how important it is to communicate clearly; both speaking and hearing.

Communication can be hindered, though, if we feel there is a power or status difference between us and the other person. A conversation between two classmates is far different than the conversation between a student and a school principal. If we are the person with less power or a perceived lower status, we may feel we are in danger of not truly being heard. We may even express ourselves less readily for fear of the power the other person holds.

Perhaps this is one of the hindrances we have in prayer. God is more powerful, He is perfect, and He can do whatever He desires, not only with my request, but with me personally. What if I say something wrong? What if I offend Him somehow?

This verse is only one of many in the Scriptures that encourage us to come boldly to Father-God with our needs. Jesus, by His death on the cross, has broken down the wall that existed between God and mankind. He not only is approachable through Christ, God invites us to bring our needs to Him.

So, this verse says we can have “confidence” in our conversations with God. What sweet freedom exists for the child of God who understands God’s desire to hear, and to fulfill her deepest needs? It is the handful of friends who don’t know when they come to your house. They walk through the door; no announcement, no doorbell, because you have invited them to be like family. Even so, we can “enter without knocking” to bring our needs to God.

Remembering that all good communication includes good listening as well as talking, we are reminded that God hears us when we ask Him “anything in agreement with His will.” Without rehearsing the primary ways we know God’s will, (Scripture, godly guidance of Christian brothers and sisters, etc.) the point is that we have made it our business to “hear” God well enough to keep in mind His desires when we pray.

This rearranges us from a “me first” scheme of prayer to asking “what does God want to do?” This might radically affect many of our prayers. Instead of asking Him to help us with a difficult co-worker, framing it with “what is God’s will” in mind, we might pray for the other person’s goodwill. Our prayer is changed from even the good-hearted “help us get along”, to a prayer that seeks God’s heart for the person: “Father, if he is dealing with stress that is affecting our relationship, please bless him. And please change me in a way that will enhance his life as well.”

There is no doubt God desires us to come to Him, if nothing else for the simple sake of the relationship itself. And, when we actually need to petition Him for our needs, we can do so with confidence, knowing He hears us. Taking time to consider God’s will concerning our needs will focus us, not on our problem or lack, but upon what God’s ultimate purpose may be. Knowing His will as always good, we can pray fully assured that His answers will be just as good as He is.