1 John 5:15

15 And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

1 John 5:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us
As it may be assured he does hear and answer all such persons that ask according to his will:

whatsoever we ask, we know,
or are assured,

that we have the petitions that we desired of him:
for as it is the nature of that holy confidence, which believers have in God, to believe whatever they ask according to his will, in general, shall be grappled, so every request in particular; yea, before the mercy desired, or the favour asked for is conferred, they are as sure of having it in God's own time and way, as if they now had it in hand and fact.

1 John 5:15 In-Context

13 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion.

14 And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening.

15 And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

16 For instance, if we see a Christian believer sinning (clearly I'm not talking about those who make a practice of sin in a way that is "fatal," leading to eternal death), we ask for God's help and he gladly gives it, gives life to the sinner whose sin is not fatal. There is such a thing as a fatal sin, and I'm not urging you to pray about that.

17 Everything we do wrong is sin, but not all sin is fatal.