Confidence In Prayer

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 John 5:14-15  (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.’ 1 John 5:14

I wonder what gets in the way of you having a daily habit of prayer. Is it because you have no confidence in your prayers. Do you say things like: ‘I don’t know what to say’ or even ‘My prayers are not important: God wouldn’t listen to me.’

In the ‘60s and ‘70s the ads for Colgate toothpaste had a strap line - Colgate’s ring of confidence: the confidence that you would be free of bad breath by using Colgate toothpaste. Putting bad breath aside where do you put your confidence. Is it in your job, your friends, your family, your health? Is it in your own ability to get things done? What confidence do you have in God?

The verses today tell us that we can have confidence in a God who hears us, that we can be bold in our prayers. We can boldly come into God’s presence to pray. He is already there waiting for us to turn up and talk to Him. I have a boldness in praying because I know that my Heavenly Father is delighted to hear my prayers, to listen to the concerns I carry with me. The most delightful image I have of God is that of the loving father who runs out to meet His lost son.

I came across a story told by Brennan Manning, about a dying man who asked him how to pray. He suggested that the man picture Jesus sitting on the chair by his bed and just talk to him as a friend. When the man died his daughter mentioned to the Brennan Manning that when her father died his head was lying on the seat.

So can I encourage to be bold this Lent and build up a regular rhythm of prayer. If you have little confidence in coming to God with your requests, maybe you will find it helpful to spend some time picturing Jesus sitting near you with a cup of coffee eagerly waiting to hear what you have to say to Him.

Let us pray: Father, thank you that you eagerly wait for my prayer: Jesus, help me to boldly pray: Holy Spirit guide me as I pray. Amen

The Revd Mary Ashton, Warden of Spiritual Directors.