Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

5:14 To ask God according to his will does not mean that, before Christians can pray effectively, they need somehow to discover God's secret plans for the future (sometimes called his "hidden will" or "will of decree"; cf. Deut. 29:29). Rather, it means they should ask according to what the Bible teaches about God's will for his people (sometimes called God's "revealed will" or "will of precept"). If Christians are praying in accordance with what pleases God as found in the teaching of Scripture, then they are praying according to his will (cf. Matt. 6:10; Eph. 5:17).

5:15 To know that he hears us in whatever we ask is enough, because communion with God is the goal of prayer. we have the requests. Human experience testifies that Christians do not always receive all the things they ask from God, even things that seemingly accord with his revealed will (see note on v. 14). This verse must be understood in light of other passages of Scripture which show that praying according to God's will includes the need to pray in faith (Matt. 21:22; James 1:6), with patience (Luke 18:1-8), in obedience (Ps. 66:18; 1 Pet. 3:12), and in submission to God's greater wisdom (Luke 22:42; Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 4:19).

5:16 Sin not leading to death is sin for which forgiveness is possible because (1) forgiveness is sought and (2) God is willing to grant it. Death and eternal life are present spiritual states as well as ultimate actual destinies (hell, heaven). Sin that leads to death is probably sin that is (1) unrepented of and (2) of the kind or nature that John has warned about throughout the letter: resolute rejection of the true doctrine about Christ, chronic disobedience to God's commandments, persistent lack of love for fellow believers--all indications of a lack of saving faith--which will not be forgiven. I do not say. John leaves open whether to pray for that situation if it arises. It would be better in such cases to pray for repentance.

5:17 All wrongdoing is a matter of grave concern given God's utter perfection and zealous love. However, not all sin leads to death, so Christians should be proactive in praying for their own and others' forgiveness.