2. The First Epistle of John Praying with Confidence and Compassion 1 John 5:14-17

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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