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What Would A Righteous Man Pray For – 1 John 5
What Would A Righteous Man Pray For – 1 John 5
John writes some interesting promises concerning prayer: "Whatever we ask we receive," and, "we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him" (3:22, 5:14-15). These verses, on a very superficial level, seem to be a carte blanche invitation from God. Want a new car - just ask. Want a better job with more money - just ask. Yet behind this principle of prayer is the whole concept of one's spiritual outlook on life. Behind such requests stands the very character of those who are praying. The 'we' of these verses are those children of God that John is addressing in this letter. What are they like?
2:15 - They do NOT love the world or the way of the world.
2:29 - They practice righteousness (doing what is right is their way of life) (cp. 3:7, 10).
3:3 - They hope for the coming of Jesus and their transformation into His very likeness, thus they have already begun this transformation as they purify themselves as He is pure.
3:6 - They do not 'keep on sinning' or 'make a practice of sinning' (3:9).
3:18 - They love their brethren in truth; seeing any need they freely give of themselves to help the situation of their brethren (3:17).
3.22 - They are keeping His commandments.
4:5 - They are 'of God' and thus are NOT 'from the world' nor do the 'speak from the world'. They have overcome the world by their faith (5:4).
These are the ones who can ask and will receive. Again, I would ask: "What would such people ask for"? This is not about making rules for prayer, nor a list of acceptable things to pray for. This is about changing one's heart, soul, and desire. People pray for what they desire and seek.
It is hard not to think of Jesus' comments in the sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 6. People are to be people of prayer (6:5f). They trust that God knows what they need (6:8). They are not laying up treasures on earth for their heart is in heaven (6:19, 21). Trusting God, they are not anxious about the basic needs of this life (6:31-34). They are not seeking worldly things but they seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (6:33). The same question comes to mind: what would this type of people pray for?
Even further back in God's book, Proverbs 10:24 states: "What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." Again, what are the desires of the righteous?
The real question then to me seems to be 'what would a righteous man, one who is first in his life seeking God and His righteousness, ask. Perhaps what we are asking for tells more about our true character and desires then we would like. What are you praying for?
Hugh DeLong
